News - Mid Suffolk Liberal Democrats

Poverty Review will not help people hit by tax rise

Gordon Brown's attempt to head off a defeat over the abolition of the 10p income tax band appears not to have won over rebel Labour MPs. 39 have signed an amendment challenging the decision - enough to beat the Government if repeated in next week's Commons vote. Party whips have told MPs a vote against the bill will be a vote of no confidence in the government. During second reading debate on the Finance Bill yesterday, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper said an inquiry into child poverty would be expanded to include low earning households without children. Labour MPs have continued to criticise the scrapping of the 10p rate. "Gordon Brown should just stand back and say, maybe I didn't quite get the sums right," said Ian Gibson MP.

22 Apr 2008

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Liberal Democrats saw that 10p change meant taxes increase for less well-off

In the current turmoil over the government's removal of the 10p tax threshold, voters have the right to ask: why didn't anybody notice at the time, when the measure was first brought in by Gordon Brown, then Chancellor, in the 2007 Budget.

22 Apr 2008

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LIB DEM ACTION PLAN FOR A12 and ESSEX

As Essex County Council holds an inquiry into the A12, Liberal Democrats are looking for an improvement in interim safety & capacity measures. However, paramount is the need for a revised Local Transport Planning Strategy to provide and encourage the use of viable alternative modes of transport.

22 Apr 2008

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County Council U-turn on Youth Service

County Councillor Colin Taylor and Surrey Lib Dems have welcomed the lifting of the county's freeze on Youth Service recruitment.

21 Apr 2008

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Brown's 10p rate tax-grab is hurting millions

Labour is facing a growing backbench rebellion over the axing of the 10p rate. The Treasury has hinted there could be measures to help low earners who are worse off, but not for several months. Chancellor Alistair Darling is working on proposals that would offset some of the impact of the tax changes, but they would not come into effect until the autumn pre-Budget report at the earliest. MPs vote today on the second reading of the Finance Bill and a week today on amendments to the Bill.

21 Apr 2008

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HUGE RISE IN HOMELESS FAMILIES IN SCARBOROUGH AND WHITBY

LIBERAL Democrats in Scarborough and Whitby are calling for government action to tackle homelessness after figures revealed there has been a shock rise in the number of local families living in temporary accommodation.

21 Apr 2008

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