Chris Nicholson backs fairer tax proposals

4.44.00pm GMT Mon 30th Nov 2009

Chris Nicholson, Lib Dem campaigner for Streatham, Clapham and Brixton today endorsed the Liberal Democrats pledge to put fair taxes at the heart of the party's message to the British people. The party's new tax plans will see tax cuts for millions of people, paid for by closing tax loopholes, making polluters pay and introducing a 'mansion tax' on homes worth over £2m.

Chris said: "The current tax system does nothing to promote social justice. Gordon Brown has created a tax regime that forces some of the lowest earners in society to pay hundreds of pounds in tax they can't afford, while polluters and rich tax dodgers avoid paying their fair share.

Under this Labour Government millions of people on low incomes are forced to pay hundreds of pounds in income tax every year, keeping pensioners on the bread line and meaning that for many people in low paid jobs, work simply doesn't pay. Even a person working full time earning the minimum wage sees nearly £1000 taken from them in income tax.

Meanwhile the Conservatives, who are out of the race in Streatham, want tax cuts for millionaires, but say there might be tax rises for everyone else. Under our plans people won't pay a penny on the first £10 000 they earn. That would put 700 pounds back in the pockets of the vast majority of tax payers, and take at least 4 million people on low pay out of paying income tax altogether.

Chris added: "Our plans represent the most radical, far reaching tax reform in a generation. They reflect everything the Liberal Democrats stand for: fairness, protecting the environment and rewarding hard work.

It is only right to ask those with the broadest shoulders to contribute a little more in order to give millions of families on lower and middle incomes in our area and across the nation the break they desperately need."