LOWEST PAID NEED HELP NOW, SAY STOCKTON LIB. DEM. COUNCILLORS

Liberal Democrat councillors in Stockton have joined others throughout the country to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to call on him to raise the income tax threshold to £10,000 faster than originally planned.

Group Leader Councillor Maureen Rigg, says, "Raising the basic income tax threshold will mean that the poorest paid workers are taken out of income tax altogether. The letter also makes very clear that the wealthiest members of society must pay their fair share. So far, under the Coalition, Liberal Democrats have already made sure 900,000 pensioners and low-paid workers have been lifted out of income tax all together, and 23 million people have been given a tax cut. The Coalition Agreement planned to achieve a £10,000 tax threshold by 2015; we are now asking for this to be sooner."