Richard Benyon has welcomed the Prime Minister’s final speech to the Conservative Party Conference, before next year’s General Election.
In his speech, the Prime Minister announced that a future Conservative government will give 30 million people a tax cut. He pledged that, by the end of the next Parliament, the tax free Personal Allowance will increase from its current level of £10,000 to £12,500. He also announced the Higher Rate Threshold, at which people start paying 40 per cent tax, will be increased from £41,865 to £50,000.
Following the Prime Minister’s speech, Richard said: “Over the past few years, I have witnessed at first-hand the constraints the economic downturn placed on families and businesses in our community. That is why I am pleased that the Prime Minister has today offered a specific commitment to cut taxes.”
He continued: “Raising the tax-free Personal Allowance will ensure 1 million more of the lowest paid workers pay no income tax at all, whilst giving 30 million people a tax cut. Therefore, if you are working a 30 hour week on minimum wage, you will pay zero income tax.”
He concluded by saying: “I have always been clear that the 40p tax rate should only be paid by those with the broadest shoulders. It was never intended to be paid by those who offer the vital front-line services our community depends on. This will ensure that hardworking people keep more of the money they work so hard to earn.”
Other notable policies include a new British Bill of Rights and the abolition of Labour’s Human Rights Act, the protection of the NHS budget for the next Parliament and a pledge to deliver English votes for English laws.