Alexander backs £12,500 tax allowance
The Liberal Democrats should pledge to raise the tax-free allowance for income tax to £12,500 at the next election, Danny Alexander has said.
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury backed the idea, arguing no one on the National Minimum Wage should pay income tax at all.
“That’s why in the next parliament we want to go even further, so that someone working full time on the minimum wage pays no income tax at all and those on low and middle incomes receive further big tax cuts,” he said.
Speaking from the campaign trail in Eastleigh this afternoon, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles attacked the Lib Dems over their tax plans, and said the Conservatives' priorities were "completely different" to their Coalition partners'.
Asked about the Lib Dem candidate's support for a mansion tax, Mr Pickles said:
“The Lib Dems are taking the people of Eastleigh for a ride. Their homes tax would hit hardworking families hardest – with ordinary people running the risk of seeing a £320 hike in their council tax.
“Conservative priorities are completely different to the Lib Dems’."