DURHAM'S LABOUR MP SNUBS FAIR TAX CAMPAIGN (Durham Liberal Democrats)

Durham Liberal Democrats <info@durhamlibdems.org.uk>

DURHAM'S LABOUR MP SNUBS FAIR TAX CAMPAIGN

July 8, 2009 12:00 AM

Durham's Labour MP has been criticised for voting against compensation for people who lost out when the 10p tax rate was abolished by Gordon Brown.

Councillor Carol Woods, Parliamentary Campaigner for Durham, had called on the City's Labour MP to support a Commons amendment which aimed to help those still paying the price of Labour's 10p tax axe.

However, Durham's Labour MP once again choose to put party loyalty ahead of the interests of local people.

Reacting to the news, Carol Woods said:

"Durham has a large number of people on low incomes who have been really hurt by Gordon Brown's decision to scrap the 10p tax rate. This amendment would have ensured that no-one would have lost money from that shameful decision. That's why I hoped Durham's MP would support constituents who have lost out.

"This is a bitter blow for campaigners who have been arguing for fairness in our tax system. Some people on very low incomes have seen their marginal tax rates double. Those people should have been taken out of the tax system altogether.

"In a time of recession, these pounds and pence make a real difference to people struggling on low incomes. It is very sad that our Labour MP has voted to support Gordon Brown rather than support the people in Durham who need it most."