4th September 2007

Tax cuts proposed by the Tories are a missed opportunity and would merely increase the growing inequality between rich and poor. Cutting inheritance tax (which only 10% pay), corporation tax (at it's lowest ever) (i) and taxes on share profits means more money in the pockets of people with plenty while leaving the tax burden of those on low and middle incomes unchanged.

It is ironic that Shadow Chancellor George Osbourne condemns this increased inequality, while his party is proposing policies that would make it worse. Research confirms what we all know: reducing inequalities of income, education, health and social opportunity are more important for the health and well-being of the population as a whole than increasing the absolute wealth.

This country seems to be set on a course of increasing the divide between the haves and have-nots. Greens are now alone amongst the main parties in arguing the tax system should be used to create a fairer, greener and more cohesive society.

The Tory Tax proposal could have been a catalyst for a national discussion on how taxation could be used to reflect the environmental cost of the goods and services that we produce and consume, how taxation could be used to encourage behaviour that contributes to long term sustainability.

There is a viable alternative to our current tax system, but it is not to be found with the other main parties.

Cllr Sarah Lunnon
Uplands, Stroud, 

Notes: 

(i) It was revealed last week that one third of the UK’s 700 largest corporations avoid paying any tax at all. Not only do they avoid tax bills at home, but many also dodge them in developing countries, depriving those countries of a staggering £250 billion annually.