Green Tax Switch Will Benefit Cornish Households
September 19, 2006 6:15 PM
Julia Goldsworthy addresses conference delegates
The Liberal Democrats have voted for a radical change to the British tax system at their conference in Brighton. Taxes on work will be shifted to taxes on pollution - protecting the environment and those households on the lowest incomes.
As a member of the Treasury Team and a member of the Commission putting forward these proposals, Falmouth and Camborne MP Julia Goldsworthy spoke out in vocal support of the reforms.
In her speech to a packed conference hall, she singled out the benefits that threshold increases and basic rate cuts would have on Cornish households.
Under the Lib Dem proposals, those earning under £8,000 will pay no income tax at all, the basic rate of income tax will be cut by 2p and the top rate of 40p will only apply to those earning over £50,000. The council tax - increasingly unaffordable for many Cornish homes - will be replaced with Local Income Tax, based on the ability to pay.
Instead, the tax proposals would switch focus to areas currently causing the most damage to our environment, such as gas guzzling cars and half-empty flights, without raising the overall level of taxation.
Julia Goldsworthy said:
"Cornwall's spectacular coastline puts us at the front line of climate change. That's why action on the environment is so urgent. The proposals approved today by the Liberal Democrat Conference will ensure that words are followed through with proposals for action."
"Local people want to do the right things by their families and communities. But in the poorest county in England, that's made that much tougher because people on low incomes are paying so much tax. These tax proposals make the whole system not only simpler and fairer to these people, but also makes it significantly greener for the first time.
"The Cornish have a great radical heritage of community independence and fairness. They expect a tax system that protects our environmental heritage and is fair to everyone. Green taxes will produce the behavioural changes needed to safeguard our environment without increasing the overall tax burden. Those in the most rural areas who don't have the option of public transport will be protected, through a 50% discount on Vehicle Excise Duty."
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