Highest Taxes in History? ‘So What?’ Says Government Minister
Press Release :
14 March 2008
Former Army Major and prospective MP Dan Byles, who holds a degree in economics, today voiced his growing concern over the state of the economy, and his disappointment over a budget that hammers families and the low paid.
Dan Byles has been leading high profile campaigns in North Warwickshire and Bedworth against police red tape, post office closures and hospital bed cuts. But today he put his ‘economist hat’ on and delivered a withering criticism of Brown and Darling’s stewardship of the economy.
Dan said:
“Brown and Darling are living in a fantasy world that no one outside the New Labour champagne bubble recognises. At a time when the cost of living for ordinary families is going through the roof, with food prices up 7%, housing costs up 8% and petrol up a whopping 19%, the Government are doing nothing to help ordinary families. In fact, they are hammering them. This Budget actually raises the already creaking tax burden by £110 for every family in Britain.
“Extra taxes on family cars and a 6% across the board tax rise on alcohol, instead of targeted rises to tackle binge drinking, will hit ordinary, hard working families when they’re already struggling to cope. And the disastrous decision taken in 2007 to scrap the 10p tax band will see huge tax rises for over 5 million low paid workers such as NHS staff and part time teachers.
“The sad fact is, the Government has no room to manoeuvre because they’ve squandered the good years. People are entitled to ask a few simple questions. My taxes keep going up, so where has all the money gone? We’ve just had ten years of global growth, so why is the Government borrowing a staggering £100 billion more than Gordon Brown said he would? Why are we entering an economic downturn with the highest debt and the highest taxes in Britain’s history?
“I am very concerned at the potential impact on jobs and prosperity here in the North Warwickshire and Bedworth. If this was a company, the shareholders would have fired Brown and Darling years ago. They continue to live in a fantasy world where they can mortgage our children’s future with ever higher borrowing, and not worry about the consequences.
“For the sake of the jobs of hardworking people here in North Warwickshire and Bedworth, it’s time the Chancellor and the Prime Minister get a grip of Government borrowing, stop dithering over important decisions, and stop trying to run the economy for political gain for the Labour Party.”
The Chancellor Says | The Real World |
“…With low inflation…”
“…with the action taken last year to curb inflation…” | Food inflation: 7%
Housing costs up by 8%
Petrol prices up: 19%
Inflation higher now than in 1997 (RPI 1997: 2.6%. RPI now: 4%) |
“Britain is better placed than other economies to withstand the slowdown in the global economy.” | UK taxes – highest in history.
UK interest rates – highest in Western Europe
UK debt – highest in history.
[Only three major countries in the entire world have higher debt levts than the UK: Egypt, Hungary and Pakistan] |
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