Local Lib Dems Demand Tax Cut for Thousands on Low and Middle Incomes in South Edinburgh

4.50.58pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 21st Apr 2009

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

The plans were launched by Party Leader Nick Clegg on 20th April who said that they 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. The cut would be paid for by closing tax loopholes for the very rich and increasing green taxes on pollution.

Fred Mackintosh, Lib Dem Westminster Spokesperson for Edinburgh South said, "Thousands of families on low income in Edinburgh will benefit from this tax cut. Again and again I meet local people who are struggling because of the recession. Our plans will lift them 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.

"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 Edinburgh South, Liberal Democrats will be going into the general election committed to a lasting income tax cut."

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