Chance missed to help middle to low paid Oldhamers in Budget - Alcock

11.24.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 22nd Apr 2009

Local Liberal Democrats have criticised the Chancellor for missing an opportunity to do more for middle and low income workers in the Budget.

Oldham West & Royton, including Chadderton Parliamentary spokesperson Mark Alcock, said: "The biggest disappointment is the failure to sort out Britain's unfair tax system. Britain's taxes are too heavy on those who can least afford it.

"We should be putting money into ordinary working people's pockets to help them make it through this recession. That is why the Liberal Democrats would help people who are struggling and cut the vast majority of people's Income Tax bills by £700.

"This would be paid for by clamping down on all the loopholes and exemptions that benefit the richest people and biggest businesses.

"Tax is too easy to avoid for those who know how, so the Chancellor's proposed 50p rate will further encourage the very wealthy to avoid tax unless we tackle the unfair loopholes they exploit."