The Budget will do nothing for ordinary residents of Aylesbury who have been clobbered by rising food, fuel and transport prices, local Liberal Democrat have said. The Budget was criticised for failing to give much needed help to those struggling in recession by refusing to back Liberal Democrat calls to cut income tax by £700 for the vast majority of people.

Commenting Cllr Mary Baldwin, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats at the County Council said “as the cost of food, heating, water and transport continue to rise, families in Aylesbury haven’t been given any practical help by the Government. People who aren’t on huge salaries are noticing more and more of their cash is going on the basics. Gordon Brown should be putting money back into their pockets by cutting income tax for the vast majority of taxpayers by £700.”

Cllr Alan Sherwell the Leader of the Liberal Democrats at the District Council said “Britain’s taxes are too heavy on those who can least afford it and too easy to avoid for those who know how. Labour is out of ideas and out of steam. This Government has condemned us to years of unemployment and a decade of debt. The country deserves something different.”

County Councilor Steven Kennell the Aylesbury Liberal Democrat spokesman for Finance said “A Liberal Democrat budget would deliver practical help. It would take 4 million people out of paying tax all together and would cut the majority of people’s income tax by £700. Paid for by cutting loophole and exemptions that benefit the richest individuals and big business. We would cancel the pointless VAT cut and invest in important green projects that create jobs right now.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives are planning swingeing cuts at the very time that the country is expected to be gradually starting to recover. We would take big choices about what government should and shouldn’t do. With a shocking deficit this year of £175bn we need a national debate about what the state can and cannot afford in the future.

The Liberal Democrats believe that this is the responsible way – the honest way – to reduce spending in the years ahead and avoid painful higher taxes. The country deserves something better – a Liberal Democrat government, Vince Cable as Chancellor and a tax system that has everybody paying their fair share.”