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Stephen Williams: Why should people who are not married pay more tax?

Sat, 18 Feb 2012

Responding to suggestions that married couples should receive tax breaks in the upcoming budget, Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Treasury Parliamentary Party Committee, Stephen Williams said:

“Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government are committed to delivering a tax system which is fair and progressive for everyone, why should working people who are not married pay more tax?

“Our commitment to increasing the income tax threshold to £10,000 has already resulted in an extra £200 in take home pay for millions of workers last year, with an additional £130 coming this April.

“Tax breaks for married couples would only help 4 million couples to the tune of around £150 year.

“This year, thanks to the Liberal Democrats, over 1 million people will have been lifted out of paying any income tax, rising to 4 million by 2015.

“Giving low earners a tax cut is exactly the kind of policy the Coalition Government should and is prioritising at a time when money is tight and people are feeling the pinch.”