THOUSANDS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS HIT BY TAX GRAB

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 15th Apr 2008

Local MP, Sandra Gidley, today hit out at the Chancellor of the Exchequer for bringing in tax changes that have increased income tax bills for thousands of hardworking residents across the city and county.

The Labour government has doubled the starting rate of income tax from 10p to 20p in the pound. Previously, a 10p rate was paid on the first £2230 of taxable income. As a result, instead of taking £223 in income tax on this portion of people's wages, the Government will now be taking £446.

Sandra is backing a motion by Liberal Democrat colleagues in parliament calling for the changes to be reversed.

Sandra Gidley MP said today:

"Thousands of residents on lower incomes across Southampton and Hampshire are now being hit by higher taxes at a time when the economic slowdown means that they are more stretched than usual."

Sandra, who is the Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Public Health is particularly concerned about NHS nurses, who despite having agreed a new pay deal last week are going to be hit particularly hard*.

"It is a disgrace that this government is treating our nurses so shabbily. It they have totally lost touch with the reality of people's lives" said Sandra.

"Whilst last week's pay increase is welcome, these changes to the tax system mean that nurses will be clobbered in the short term. They need the full pay rise now to avoid being worse off than they were before. My colleagues and I will continue to push the government to see sense.

"Gordon Brown must be made to listen. He can find billions to continue Tony Blair's illegal war in Iraq - but he cannot find the money to give our nurses a fair deal."

ENDS