Priti welcomes tax cuts for families and business in Budget
Witham MP Priti Patel has welcomed announcements in the Budget that have reduced the tax burden on families and businesses as the Chancellor announced polies that Priti has been championing. The income tax free allowance threshold will be increasing in 2019 to £12,500 for basic rate taxpayers and £50,000 for higher rate taxpayers, a measure Priti was at the forefront of campaigning for. The increase in the tax free allowance will mean basic rate taxpayers will be paying £1,205 less in income tax than in 2010. Businesses will also be receiving more help with small retail business seeing their business rates bills cut by a third. As well as cutting the tax burden, the Government is providing more support for those on Universal Credit, which Priti pressed Ministers for during a debate in parliament earlier this month.
The Budget also announced over £25 billion for investment in the strategic roads network and Priti is calling on the Government to put some of these funds towards the dualling of the A120. There was also more funding announced for addressing potholes, investment in schools and hospitals, and money for digital railway enhancements.
Priti said:
“I welcome the announcements on income tax and business rates, which I have been campaigning for. The increases in the tax free allowances will mean that people can keep more of the money that they earn while the cutting business rates bills for small retailers will give our high streets a welcome boost. This is positive news but more reforms to the tax system are needed to simplify the tax system and cuts taxes further so people can have more money in their pockets.”
“The Government has set aside funding for investment in key infrastructure and it is important that Essex gets its fair share of this funding. I will be continuing to press for much needed investment in the A120 for the dualling scheme, the progression of the A12 widening scheme and the upgrading of the Great Eastern Mainline as bringing these key economic corridors into the twenty-first century.”
“The additional support package for people on Universal Credit is also welcome. It is a policy I have spoken in favour of as it will smooth the transition onto Universal Credit while making those who take on more work better off.”