THE leader of the Harlow Labour group has called the government u-turn on tax rates “a humiliation”.

Councillor Chris Vince said: “I am pleased to see that the Conservative Government have U-turned on their plans to ditch the 45p rate of tax, giving those with the broadest shoulders thousands of pounds of tax breaks when many families in Harlow and across the country are worried, not only about heating their homes but also keeping their homes this winter.  It was an unnecessary  and economically damaging act. 

However, we don’t get an apology from the Prime Minister or the Chancellor about this callous act.  Just the phrase ‘it was a distraction.’ Their humiliating volte-face is welcome but the damage to economy and the trust of the world money markets is already done. 

My response to the British people is not to be distracted by this U-turn. Remember it is this Conservative Government who are willing to sacrifice the next generation by making them pay for the borrowing rather than tax energy giant’s massive profits and who have removed the cap on bankers’ bonuses, at a time when the rest of us are really struggling.

I welcome today’s news but I remain extremely concerned what this heartless and hopeless Conservative government might do next. Further disastrous cuts to public services seem inevitable as the Chancellor tries to find a way to reduce the impact of his mistakes. It’s very clear they are not on the side of working people in this country and the sooner we can elect a Labour government that is, the better!

Cllr Chris Vince