Cut taxes for Westminster residents, say local Liberal Democrats

11.07.25pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 20th Apr 2009

Local LibDem parliamentary candidates Mark Blackburn and Naomi Smith with Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable MP.

Thousands of people in Westminster will be taken out of income tax altogether by new tax proposals launched by the Liberal Democrats. Thousands more will see their income tax bill slashed by £700 a year.

The plans were launched today by LibDem party leader Nick Clegg MP. He said that the LibDems would boost family budgets battered by rising food, power and transport prices. The plans call for the personal tax allowance to be raised to £10,000.

Naomi Smith, the LibDem parliamentary candidate for the Cities of London and Westminster, said, "Thousands of families on low income in Westminster will benefit from this tax cut. They will be lifted out of income tax altogether.

"People earning over £10,000 will pay £700 less income tax a year, paid for by ending the loopholes and tax avoidance schemes used by the wealthy and big corporations."

Mark Blackburn, the party's candidate for the new Westminster North parliamentary constituency, said, "Ordinary people are struggling because of the recession. Now is the time to make a far reaching and permanent change to the tax system that benefits those on low and middle incomes. Liberal Democrats want to see more money left in the pockets of ordinary people rather than taken away by the Government.

"Here in Westminster, Liberal Democrats will be going into the General Election committed to a lasting income tax cut."