"Stop Labour's tax hike on lowest paid" says MP

10.01.35am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 22nd Apr 2008

Norman has slammed the Labour governments 10p tax hike for the poorest in society.

Local MP Norman Baker has slammed the Labour government's tax hike for the poorest paid in society.

Norman says: "This will impact on many people in our local area, from those who have not had children to early retirees with taxable pensions. A large number of constituents have already written to me complaining about this measure."

The Labour government brought in the 10p tax band in 1999. Under the new proposal, the low paid will see their taxes double from 10p to 20p in the pound.

Norman says: "The Liberal Democrats have been arguing against this proposal for the last year. It is welcome that some Labour MPs have finally woken up to the damage that this tax hike would do to the poorest in society."

Norman continues: "Gordon Brown and Labour have lost touch with ordinary people in Britain. Doubling taxes for the lowest paid in our community is simply heartless and cruel. It's the kind of behaviour you would expect from a Conservative Government - not a Labour one. There is a vote next Monday in the House of Commons, and I intend to be there and vote against this measure."

Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats said: "Gordon Brown's government is starting to unravel before our eyes as Labour MPs see the full extent of the Prime Minister's betrayal of the most needy in our society."