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Andrew SimpsonLiberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesperson for Northampton North constituency and local campaigner |
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People will see through Labour's Budget Bribes says Lib Dem
March 16, 2005 11:03 PM
A budget full of election bribes says Andrew Simpson
Andrew Simpson Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesperson for Northampton North has criticised the Chancellor's budget as little more than a set of election bribes aimed at repairing the damage Labour has done to its traditional supporters.
"I think people will see through this budget for what it is - a series of bribes aimed at winning the election" said Andrew. "If the Government was serious about tackling inequality, long term poverty and about creating a fairer tax system then it could have done so much more to address these issues rather than just tinkering about."
Whilst some measures are welcome such as help for pensioners - this is only a short term fix - what is needed is fundamental change. The Lib Dem policy of scrapping the Council Tax and providing an extra £100 a month to all pensioners over 75 is a real alternative to Labour's short term tinkering"
Three things the Lib Dems have welcomed in the Budget -
• Free local bus travel for pensioners (this was already part of the Lib Dem policy - contained in our Pre-Manifesto document)
• Increasing the stamp duty threshold (although not by enough - Lib Dems are proposing extending it to £150,000)
• Help for pensioners in general (but it's sticking plaster rather than seriously addressing pensioner poverty)
Five things missing from the Budget (that the Lib Dems are proposing) -
• Scrapping student fees (paid for by 50p top rate of tax on income earned over £100,000)
• Scrapping charges for long-term personal care for the elderly (also paid for by 50p rate)
• Replace council tax with fair local income tax
• Boost the state pension for over-75s by over £100 a month for single pensioners and over £140 a month for pensioner couples
• 10,000 more police, paid for by scrapping ID cards plan
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