"CUT INCOME TAX IN BUDGET" - GIDLEY

12.00.00am GMT Wed 12th Mar 2008

Chancellor Alistair Darling should cut tax, paid for by rises in green taxes, when he delivers his budget today, says local MP Sandra Gidley.

Commenting from Westminster ahead of today's budget speech, Sandra said:

"The people of Southampton and Hampshire have been hit by higher prices for energy and rising council tax over the past year.

"This budget offers an ideal opportunity for the Government to cut the burden of tax on so many local households. Too many people's finances are being squeezed by higher prices for energy, food and the effect of higher interest rates.

"I and my colleagues want to see a cut in national income tax to 16p in the pound. This should be paid for by increasing the taxes on activities that pollute most, such as running the most polluting vehicles or flying.

"We fundamentally need to shift the burden of taxation from how much you earn to how much you burn. This would begin to address the environmental crisis that is contributing to the freak weather conditions that we are seeing.

"I also hope that the Chancellor will use this opportunity to tackle the most unfair tax of all - the council tax. It is far more of a burden for low and middle income households. I want to see the council tax scrapped and replaced with a fair, local income tax, based on ability to pay.

"Unfortunately, I feel that this will be another opportunity squandered and hardworking families will again be disappointed by a Labour government that has consistently left them behind."

ENDS