Winchester MP Steve Brine says he is 'delighted' at many of the measures announced by George Osborne in today's Budget.
Mr Brine singled out the largest ever increase in the personal tax allowance (to £8,105 from April 1st 2012 and £9,205 from April 2013) for praise which he said was long overdue.
He said; "The increase in the tax allowance is a landmark decision and I was delighted to see it in the Budget. George Osborne had to deliver a fiscally neutral budget given the crippling debts our country still faces and the need to ensure stability comes first but he has moved decisively and cleverly to ensure those with the broadest shoulders pay a little more while helping millions at the other end of the income scale.
"The move on income tax lifts some of the poorest people I represent out of tax altogether which is not only fair and just, but also a crucial way to generate growth as it puts money in peoples' pockets. I know the measure would be warmly welcomed in Winchester where we have many people working in the public sector, often on a low wage."
Last month the MP told The Chronicle he and large numbers of coalition MPs backed the move and were pressing George Osborne to be bold in this Budget in this area.
He added; "As a Conservative I firmly believe in lower taxes, especially for the lowest paid because allowing people to keep more of their own money provides choices on how, if and when it is spent. Overall I think the Budget backed business 100%, showed an unwavering determination to continue dealing with our debts and was unashamedly on the side of working people in this country. Of course I would have like to see more, on petrol duty for-instance, but the public finances are still extremely fragile and I think this Budget has delivered in extremely tough times."
The MP also backed moves to reduce the headline rate of corporation tax to just 22% by 2014, a new system of Enterprise Loans to help young people start a business and new rules from HMRC which will free very small businesses from currently complex and time consuming tax returns. Mr Brine also welcomed an announcement that will raise more than £1bn through tax avoidance, especially on stamp duty payments, and echoed the Chancellor's words that avoiding tax was "morally repugnant."
Pictured; Steve speaking to Winchester's WINOL TV on College Green immediately after Budget 2012 was delivered.
More information ...
See Steve's call for raise in personal tax allowance here.
Read full Budget 2012 details via Treasury website.