Graham Watson MEP

2.17 Million South West Residents in Line for Tax Cut

Published on Wednesday 21st March 2012

Ahead of today's crucial budget, figures have emerged showing that 2.17 million people across the region will receive a £130 tax cut from next month, with 100,000 workers across the West being taken out of income tax altogether.

The tax cut is another fulfilment of the Liberal Democrats' key general election campaign pledge of making the first £10,000 you earn tax free. Whilst the coalition agreement states the rise will happen incrementally over 5 years, Liberal Democrats in government have been working to bring this forward in today's budget.

Lib Dem MEP for the South West Sir Graham Watson commented,

'With households facing increasing price rises in their energy bills, at the pumps and in the supermarkets, a tax cut for millions of hardworking families is not a panacea, but provides welcome relief nonetheless.

'Whilst Liberal Democrats in government are having to make cuts in order to balance the nation's books and reduce the colossal national debt, we are delivering 75% of our election manifesto. This not only includes a tax cut for people across the board, but also more money to pensioners through the 'triple lock' guarantee of increasing the state pension in line with inflation as well as pumping £83 million into the region's most deprived schools to invest in education where it is most needed through the pupil premium.

ENDS

Note to Editors

Please see below breakdown of figures based on local authority geographic area.