The Liberal Democrats manifesto commitment to increase the income tax threshold to £10,000 took a step closer today when the Chancellor George Osbourne delivered his third Budget.

Commenting on the Budget and in particular the personal tax threshold, Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr. Jeremy Hilton said:

“Let’s not underestimate the influence of the Liberal Democrats in this Budget.

“In Gloucestershire 7,200 were lifted out of paying tax altogether last year and across the country 23m people received a £200 tax cut.

“Today’s announcement that the income tax threshold will be raised to £9,205 from April 2013 supports working families and reaffirms the Liberal Democrats commitment to helping those on low incomes.

“Liberal Democrats will continue to push forward until the £10,000 tax-free allowance is finally reached making a real, positive difference to millions of people’s lives.  

“It is fair that money is being put back in the pockets of hard working people during these times of economic hardship.

“It is correct to introduce Nick Clegg’s Tycoon Tax. Raising the stamp-duty rate on properties worth more than £2 million bought by companies based in tax havens to 15%.

“It is also right to introduce a stamp duty rate of 7% for the wealthy who can afford to purchase homes costing more than £2 million.

“There is no doubt that the Budget announced today is a balanced Budget for working people aimed at helping low and middle earners thanks to the influence of the Liberal Democrats.”

The policies that the Liberal Democrats say must be considered in the next stage of developing the Joint Core Strategy’s preferred option include protecting the Green Belt. Others include finding alternatives to urban extensions, undertaking a re-evaluation of the housing numbers, prioritising affordable housing as well as establishing a small eco-town near Highnam.

The Liberal Democrat vision is to see the development of a small eco-town at Highnam meeting the standards required of an eco-town. The proposal would be an alternative to building on the protected Green Belt and help the economy of the West of Gloucestershire.

Liberal Democrat Leader of Cheltenham Borough Council Cllr. Steve Jordan said: “We recognise that there is a need for a long-term strategic plan to outline the economic, housing and environmental requirements of the Joint Core Strategy area. “We believe that it is important to protect the Green Belt to stop Gloucester and Cheltenham from coalescing and that of Bishops Cleeve and Cheltenham. ”

It is also essential that alternatives to urban extensions are considered in order to protect the urban regeneration within both Gloucester and Cheltenham.” Tewkesbury Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr. Bill Whelan said: “We would like to see a re-evaluation of the number of houses needed over the life of the Joint Core Strategy (2031) as any oversupply of housing would create unnecessary urban sprawl.”

Commenting on the small eco-town at Highnam, Gloucester Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr. Jeremy Hilton said: “A small eco-town at Highnam is an exciting vision. It would not be just about building houses, but building a sustainable community to the west of Gloucester. “There would be improvements to existing amenities and the creation of new services and facilities including a park and ride that would connect Gloucester and the Forest of Dean. ” A small eco-town like the one being proposed is a realistic alternative to other locations being suggested.

“For example, the Tory plan to build 3,100 houses to the north east of Longlevens at Innsworth under the flight path of the runway of Gloucestershire Airport should be reconsidered.”

The public consultation on the first stage of the Joint Core Strategy for the area of Gloucestershire covered by Cheltenham, Gloucester & Tewkesbury councils ended on the 12th February. The next stage of public consultation looking at the preferred options will happen this autumn.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Ceri Jones said: “In spite of the committee regrettably finding no grounds to overturn the decision taken to select the preferred bidder, we nevertheless uncovered inefficiencies within the process.  For instance, there was much uncertainty as to what commercially sensitive information should be kept from elected councillors. It is absolutely vital to clarify what exactly councillors can and cannot be told especially when dealing with a project that will have such a huge impact on our communities.”  

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Councillor Jeremy Hilton said: “ I am very proud of the Liberal Democrat members who on this committee fought hard to overturn the cabinet’s decision on a project that is going to last 25 years and cost around half a billion pounds.”

 ENDS