525,300 Essex people will get Income Tax cut in April 2013

Commenting on the raising of the Personal Allowance further than already planned, Cllr Mike Mackrory, Leader of the Opposition on Essex County Council, said:

"Liberal Democrats are working for a stronger economy and a fairer society, so that everyone can get on in life. That's why we are cutting taxes for working people.

"This announcement means that by April, 525,300 ordinary working people in Essex will get a further Income Tax cut, bringing the total tax cut to £600 a year since Liberal Democrats joined the Coalition Government.

"In Essex, this welcome news also means that 44,610 low earners have been lifted out of paying Income Tax altogether since the Coalition Government came to power.

"Liberal Democrats want fairer taxes, which is why we made raising the tax-free allowance our number one priority at the General Election - so important that we put it on the front page of our manifesto.

"When times are tough, with rising bills and wages not keeping pace with inflation, we want to give people real, practical help.

"Cutting Income Tax will not deal with all of those problems, but it will help. And I hope it will make a big difference to every family in this country."