"Low paid shouldn't pay any tax", say local Lib Dems

8.59.00am GMT Tue 2nd Feb 2010

Lib Dems would cut taxes on the poorest, paid for by higher taxes on the most wealthy

Plymouth's Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidates Dr Judy Evans and Stuart Bonar today welcomed the party's new plans to bring in a fairer tax system.

Under the Liberal Democrats, no-one will pay a penny's tax on the first £10,000 they earn each year. The party will take four million of the least well-off people out of paying income tax.

Liberal Democrats will give every working person a £700 tax cut - that's £1,400 less tax a year for every working couple. Pensioners will each receive a £100 tax cut.

Stuart Bonar, the Lib Dem prospective parliamentary candidate for the new seat of Plymouth Moor View, said, "Labour has let its friends in the City of London run riot, giving them tax break after tax break and making the poorest pay thorough the nose instead. Is it any surprise that we learn today that the gap between rich and poor in Britain today is now larger than it has been for decades, worse even than under Thatcher.

"The Lib Dems will make the super-rich pay their fair share of tax. Hard-working people in Plymouth will each get a £700 tax cut.

"I used to earn £10,000, so I understand completely how much difference this kind of help would make."

Along with closing a series of tax loopholes the Liberal Democrats will introduce a mansion tax - a 1% levy on the value of homes worth more than £2m.Dr Judy Evans, the party's prospective parliamentary candidate for Plymouth Sutton & Devonport, added, "The very richest in the country currently get away with paying very little. That's not fair, that's why we're introducing the mansion tax to make them pay more."

The Lib Dems will replace council tax with a local income tax, based on people's ability to pay. Money raised locally will be spent locally, improving the community we live in.

Dr Judy added, "Not only is council tax unfair, penalising pensioners who no longer work, but the money is spent by faceless bureaucrats in Whitehall.

"Under Liberal Democrat plans what's raised here in Plymouth will be spent here in Plymouth - directly improving our community. What could be fairer than that?"