Labour's Tax Grab Is Focused On The Poorest - Teather

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 11th Apr 2008

Sarah Teather is angry that Labour's tax rise is hitting the poorest people in Brent

Local Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather has expressed her concern that the Government is bringing in tax changes that will increase income tax bills for thousands of residents of Brent.

On 6th April, Labour doubled the starting rate of income tax from 10p to 20p in the pound. Previously, a 10p rate was paid on the first £2230 of taxable income. As a result, instead of taking £223 in income tax on this portion of people's wages, Gordon Brown's government is now taking £446.

Though the standard rate of income tax has been cut from 22p to 20p in the pound, a single person with no children would have to be earning over £18,500 to be better off under the tax changes.

Brent's average income is below the UK average, and so Brent has been particularly badly hit by these changes. The Government's own statistics estimate 30% of residents in Brent East who are in work will be worse off because of Labour's tax increase.

Local Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather Said:

"It is appalling that Labour has pushed up taxes on people on low incomes to pay for tax cuts for the better off.

"Thousands of residents on lower incomes, especially in the south of Brent are now receiving sharply increased tax demands at the same time as they are facing big increases in bills for gas, electricity and transport.

"It seems Gordon Brown has totally lost touch with the reality of ordinary people's lives. This tax change was a gimmick introduced when he was considering an early election. It is the poorest who will pay the price for it."