Chancellor announces 22 million people to benefit by £120

I was pleased to hear the Chancellor’s announcement earlier this week of proposals that will help those who have been affected by the withdrawal of the 10p starting rate.

It proves that the Government is listening and responding to the concerns of people in areas such as Hall Green

The proposals announced by the Chancellor will:

• Increase the personal tax allowance by £600 to £6,035 for this financial year, benefiting all basic rate taxpayers under 65.
• Mean that 22 million people on low and middle incomes will gain an additional £120 this year.
• Provide support this year for those on middle incomes at a time where they face increased bills.
• Support the economy and display the Labour Party's commitment to creating a more prosperous and fairer Britain
• Mean that in September basic rate taxpayers will see a one-off increase in their monthly income of £60 and then an increase of £10 per month until March 2009.
• Take 600,000 people on low incomes out of tax altogether.
• Mean that those who currently pay tax at 40% will be unaffected by the increase in the personal allowance.

The announcement also highlighted to me the difference between us and the Tories – we act while they stand by and do nothing.

For all their grandstanding on 10p, the Tories have refused to say what they would do. 

The Tories claim to care about people on low incomes. But they:

• OPPOSED every major measure the Government has introduced to help low income people.

• OPPOSED the introduction of the Minimum Wage.

• OPPOSED tax credits

• OPPOSED more help for pensioners.

A Fairer and More Prosperous Britain

On Wednesday the Prime Minister set out Labour's draft programme for the laws it intends to introduce in the next parliamentary session.

The draft programme outlines a series of proposals to help build a more prosperous and fairer Britain – Labour’s central purpose.

They include:

- More help for first-time buyers struggling to get a foot on the housing ladder;

- More help for families to ease the pressures of work and family life with a proposal for a new right to request flexible working to cover all children;

- A tougher and fairer test for citizenship building on Labour’s introduction of an Australian-style points based system so that only those who benefit Britain can come here

- Cutting red tape to free up police time;

- Reforms to welfare because Labour believes that those who can work, should work; and

- Raising standards in schools and hospitals by placing more power in the hands of parents and patients.

Have Your Say

But what do you think? I want to hear from people in Hall Green about these proposals before they become law. 

I want to know how you think these proposals will affect you?  And how can we build a fairer Britain?

You can either contact me at 0121 443 3878 or respond to the Government at: www.commonsleader.gov.uk/draftprogramme

Flexible Working Boost for Parents in Hall Green

I know that one of the biggest issues facing parents in Hall Green is how to balance work and family life. 

That’s why I was so pleased this week to hear the Government announce that it will introduce new rights on flexible working for parents who have children up to the age of 16.

Currently this right exists for parents of children up to the age of six, as well as parents of disabled children.

By extending it, a further 4.2 million parents will be eligible for flexible working rights.

This announcement builds on Labour's existing help for families – including:

• • 9 months paid maternity leave for new mums 
• A right to paternity leave for all dads
• Surestart
• Free childcare for three and four year olds, and
• The childcare element of the Working Tax Credit that pays up to £140 a week for one child and £240 a week for two or more.

And, once more, I find myself reminded of the Tory record on this. David Cameron says one thing and does another.

He says he support flexible working but he voted against it.

He also voted against extending maternity leave and giving parents of young children the right to request flexible working.