The Budget was criticised for failing to give much needed help to those struggling in recession by refusing to back Liberal Democrat calls to cut income tax by £700 for the vast majority of people.

Commenting, Katy Gordon, Liberal Democrat Westminster spokesperson for Glasgow North, said:

“As the cost of food, heating, water and transport continues to rise, families in Glasgow North haven’t been given any practical help by the Government.

“People who aren’t on huge salaries are noticing more and more of their cash is going on the basics. Gordon Brown should be putting money back into their pockets by cutting income tax for the vast majority of taxpayers by £700.

“Britain’s taxes are too heavy on those who can least afford it and too easy to avoid for those who know how.

“Labour is out of ideas and out of steam. This Government has condemned us to years of unemployment and a decade of debt. The country deserves something different.”

Katy Gordon and Vince Cable MP discuss the cost of living

Thousands of people in some of the poorest parts of Glasgow would be taken out of income tax altogether by new tax proposals launched by the Liberal Democrats. And thousands more will see their income tax bill slashed by £700 a year.

The plans were launched by Party Leader Nick Clegg on 20th April who said that they would boost family budgets battered by rising food, power and transport prices. The plans call for the personal tax allowance to be raised to £10,000. The cut would be paid for by closing tax loopholes for the very rich and increasing green taxes on pollution.

Katy Gordon, Lib Dem Westminster Spokesperson for Glasgow North said,

“Thousands of families on low income in Glasgow will benefit from this tax cut. Again and again I meet local people who are struggling because of the recession. Our plans will lift them out of income tax altogether. People earning over £10,000 will pay £700 less income tax a year, paid for by ending the loopholes and tax avoidance schemes used by the wealthy and big corporations.

“Now is the time to make a far reaching and permanent change to the tax system that benefits those on low and middle incomes. Liberal Democrats want to see more money left in the pockets of ordinary people rather than taken away by the Government. Here in Glasgow North, Liberal Democrats will be going into the general election committed to a lasting income tax cut.”

Katy and Vince Cable MP, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats visited the Byres Rd Somerfield store in Glasgow North this weekend to highlight the ways people are coping with the rising cost of living.

They spoke with local shoppers on their changing habits due to the rising cost of living.

Commenting on the Mintel report showing anxious shoppers are switching to cheaper brands, Vince said:

“This is yet further evidence that the massive personal debt and spiralling food and fuel prices are now hitting people’s pockets. People and businesses are now paying the price for an economy which Gordon Brown allowed to get dangerously out of control.”

“The credit crunch and soaring consumer prices are clearly having a massive impact on people across the country.

This again shows just how desparately needed is the package of tax cuts for ordinary people proposed by the Liberal Democrats.

Katy added:

“Talking to shoppers today confirms what local residents have told me time and again over the past year. They are really worried about the cost of living and tax. One constituent in Maryhill told me her biggest fear was not being able to feed her family and pay all the household bills.”