Minimum wage must be a living wage - Vann (North Bedfordshire Liberal Democrats)

North Bedfordshire Liberal Democrats <bedford@bedfordlibdems.org>

Minimum wage must be a living wage - Vann

August 11, 2009 8:01 PM

Henry Vann, Liberal Democrat local campaigner for Bedford and Kempston has backed Vince Cable's funded tax-break for those hardest hit by the recession.

The Liberal Democrats have proposed raising the personal allowance to £10,000 which would reduce bills for most earners by £705 a year, and list those struggling the most in the recession out of paying tax altogether.

This policy is funded by £17bn package of tax increases including abolition of top-rate tax relief for pension contributions and closing tax loopholes.

Commenting on the plans, Henry said:

"Minimum wage must be a living wage, decent enough for people to live on, without being forced on to extra benefits from the government.

"By raising the personal allowance to £10,000, we will lift those struggling most out of paying tax altogether, whilst most earners will get a £700 tax cut.

"The Conservatives have failed to pledge any real, funded help, whilst Labour has endless un-funded initiatives and spending proposals which the current economy simply can't sustain.