Fair taxes at the heart of Liberal Democrat message.

9.37.00am GMT Wed 9th Dec 2009

Dave Radcliffe (right) has welcomed Liberal Democrat plans for fair taxes announced by Nick Clegg. Under the Lib Dem plans people wouldn't pay a penny of income tax on the first £10,000 they earn.

Liberal Democrat plans for fair taxes have been welcomed. The party's new tax plans will see tax cuts for millions of people, which would be paid for by closing tax loopholes, making polluters pay and introducing a 'mansion tax' on homes worth over £2m.

"We need fairer taxes," said Parliamentary Spokesman Dave Radcliffe. "Local people need to be able to keep more of what they earn."

Speaking at the Tax policy launch, Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said:

"If you want to know how committed a government is to fairness then look at its tax system.

"Gordon Brown has created a tax regime that forces some of the lowest earners in society to pay hundreds of pounds in tax they can't afford, while polluters and rich tax dodgers avoid paying their fair share.

"Meanwhile the Conservatives want tax cuts for millionaires, but say there might be tax rises for everyone else.

"Under our plans people won't pay a penny on the first ten thousand pounds they earn. That would put £700 back in the pockets of the vast majority of tax payers, and take millions of people on low pay out of paying income tax altogether.

"Our plans represent the most radical, far reaching tax reform in a generation.

"They embody everything the Liberal Democrats stand for: fairness, protecting the environment, rewarding hard work.

"It is right to ask those with the broadest shoulders to bear a little more of the burden so that millions of people on normal earnings get the break they desperately need."

Related Link:

Watch Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, speaking just after the launch of the Liberal Democrats' Tax policy.