Low paid face big tax rise

12.19.36pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 5th Dec 2007

Up to a quarter of residents living in Bradford North will face a big rise in their income tax bill in April according to Councillor David Ward, chair of the Bradford North Area Committee.

He said,

" Just over 25% of households in this area have a gross income of less than £15,000 a year and the abolition of the 10p income tax band could hit them hard. If they are under 65 years old they could lose up to £180 a year because the reduction of he 22p band to 20p is not enough to offset the loss of the 10p band.

Many of these people will be earning the minimum wage of £5.52 an hour and for a Labour Government to increase the amount of tax they pay is unbelievable especially when you realise that people on earning up to £34,000 will actually pay less tax as a result of these changes."