Danger: huge tax

increases ahead

DECEMBER 14, 2009

THE MAN hoping to be Carlisle’s next MP says that voting for his party is the only way of avoiding staggering increases in the taxes they will have to pay.

John Stevenson, the city’s Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate, says the headline policies outlined in Chancellor Alistair Darling’s so-called Pre-Budget Report last week were bad enough.

But, he says, other ideas hidden in the small print make it even worse.

“Most people will be aware of the hike in National Insurance rates which will hit anyone earning more than £20,000 a year and make it more expensive for local firms to pay their staff,” he says.

“But how many noticed that the Chancellor also even wants to start charging tax on anyone who enjoys a free or subsided works canteen . . . and to introduce a ‘phone tax’ which will cost homes and businesses £6 a year for each and every landline?”

John says that, with the country’s debt forecast to reach the equivalent of £23,000 for every man, woman and child Britain, the Pre-Budget Report heralds a new era of higher taxes and record levels of national debt – if Labour are voted back at the next General Election.

“Every family in Carlisleis going to be forced to pay out for years thanks to Gordon Brown’s mistakes,” John says. “Our country faces the biggest overdraft in our peacetime history, and Labour have already started to hike taxes on to pay for it.”

The Government’s proposals include:

·         National Insurance hikes on workers meaning a smaller pay packet for anyone earning £20,000 or more.

·         National Insurance hikes on local firms, making it more expensive to pay staff.

·         Higher income tax, pushing more middle income earners into the 40 per cent higher rate.

·         Inheritance tax rises by stealth, taxing people more as house prices start to rise.

·         Higher stamp duty, meaning the average first time buyer will now pay £1,475 in stamp duty.

·         A new telephone tax on anyone with a phone or fax line.

·         Forcing councils to make more cuts to rubbish collections and pushing up council tax.

The tax increases will be necessary to cover the £64 billion a year ithe Government will have to pay as interest on the debt it has built up – equivalent to the amount of money raised from fuel duty, inheritance tax, stamp duty and council tax put together.

“The message to families from these tax changes is clear,” John says. “If you want to get on in life, own your own home or leave something to your children, then the Labour Party is not for you anymore. It’s time for change – and Conservatives will work hard to sort out the mess that Labour have left.”

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