Lib Dem fair tax plan would help the Highlands - Alexander

12.00.00am GMT Tue 1st Dec 2009

Highland Lib Dem MP Danny Alexander says radical tax reform plans unveiled this week by party leader Nick Clegg and Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable MP would give a big boost to Highland families. As chair of the party's manifesto group, Mr Alexander has played a key role in drawing up these plans.

At the heart of the tax plans, the personal allowance would be raised to £10,000. People earning less than £10,000 each year would pay no income tax at all. Those earning over £10,000 would pay £700 less.

Commenting, Danny Alexander said:

"These plans represent a carefully costed and long overdue overhaul for the British tax system.

"People in the Highlands have to get by on lower average incomes, but face high costs for necessities like housing, heating and travel. Young people, pensioners and carers in the Highlands were among the hardest hit by Gordon Brown's disgraceful

decision to scrap the 10p tax rate in 2007.

"Lib Dem tax cuts are targeted at the least well off, and will help to make sure that hard work always pays. We will fund the cost of this radical change by closing tax loop-holes used by the wealthiest, taxing pollution which harms our environment

and asking owners of homes worth more than £2 million to pay a small amount more each year.

"In the election ahead, there is a clear choice facing the Highlands: more of the same under Gordon Brown; tax cuts for city fat cats under David Cameron; or real change for a fairer Britain with Nick Clegg and the Lib Dems."

ENDS