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PRESS
UPDATE
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Stephens Comments on Taxation
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Under the present Labour government taxes have risen by £24 billion - the equivalent of 10p on the basic rate of income tax. Our proposals to give back some of this money are matched by savings in areas such as social security fraud and can be achieved alongside increased spending on priority public services such as law and order, health, and education. We want to help those who have been hit hardest by Labour’s stealth taxes. We would increase the age allowance by £2,000 which would take a million pensioners out of the tax net. We would abolish basic rate income tax on income from savings. We would reintroduce a married couples allowance for couples with young children. We would help small businesses by reducing business rates and we would reduce fuel tax by 6 pence a litre in our first budget. The choice is clear - lower taxes with the Conservatives or higher taxes under Labour.
22nd May 2001
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Children’s Tax Credit
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First, a polite correction. Contrary to the statement by Ms. McIsaac in Wednesday’s Telegraph, the Conservatives would not take away the Children’s Tax Credit. In fact we are committed to increasing the tax credit by £200 for children under 5.
There is much more at stake in this election than the important domestic issues of taxation and public services. If we scrap the pound, as Labour and the Liberal Democrats want to do, we will hand over control of our economy to Europe. Our mortgage rates will be set by a European Central Bank and our ability to set our own levels of taxes and public spending will be severely constrained.
A Conservative government would not scrap the pound. We would negotiate to restore national control over our fishing waters and would veto any further transfers of powers to Brussels. We want to be in Europe but not run by Europe.
24th May 2001
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FAIRER DEAL FOR OLD AGE PENSIONERS
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Remember Labour’s 75p pension increase? Under the Conservatives, pensioners would have a fairer deal.
We are committed to increasing the basic state pension by more than the rise in inflation – an increase of up to £8.60 per week next year for pensioner couples over 75.
We would keep the winter fuel allowance, free TV licence and the Christmas bonus, but would allow all pensioners, including those living in care homes – the option of a higher basic pension instead.
We would abolish basic rate income tax on savings – a change which would particularly benefit pensioners.
In addition we would increase tax allowances for the over 65s by 2000, which would take one million pensioners out of the tax net and cut income tax for most pensioners with occupational pensions by £8.50 per week.
THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR: UNDER THE CONSERVATIVES, EVERY PENSIONER WOULD BE BETTER OFF.
From the Grimsby Evening Telegraph 2 June
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Tories - not a soft touch
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Stephens Howd at his adoption meeting said"At this election there is a clear choice between a Labour party which is all spin and no delivery and a Conservative party which would deliver commonsense solutions."
"We would reverse Labours police cuts and would ensure that the NHS treats first the patients who are most in need by introducing guaranteed maximum waiting times for serious medical conditions."
"We would reduce taxes on pensioners, savers, families and cut fuel tax.
Tony Blair is determined to scrap the pound, which would lead to losing control of our taxes, our levels of public spending and our interest rates."
"We need a Conservative government which is committed to keeping the pound and which will negotiate to reduce the powers of Brussels so that Britain can be in Europe but not run by Europe.
I am looking forward to campaigning throughout the Cleethorpes constituency over the coming weeks."
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