"The Real Opposition" will impose new tax rate

The Liberal Democrats have today released details of its pre-election themes and policy pledges which confirm it will scrap Child Trust Funds and introduce another higher rate tax bracket.

Labelling the party as "the Real Opposition", Liberal Democrat leader Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP, announced the campaigning strategy for the general election – expected to be held in May – will include scrapping both CTFs and university tuition ‘top-up’ fees, free long-term care.

In order to pay for it, Kennedy today said these and other reforms - which bring about the end of means-testing for pensioners and a Citizen’s Pension worth an extra £100 a month to those aged over 75s – will be paid for through a new higher income tax rate for anyone earning more than £100,000, touted last September in a pre-manifesto document as being set at 50p in the pound.

“Fairness is about equal access – a decent health service, a quality education – and fairness in taxation too. Every person paying their fair share, so that as a society we can grow and our public lives are enriched,” said Kennedy today.

Key campaigning proposals are listed as:

(See attached story link for more information on proposals unveiled in September 2004: LibDems ‘pre-manifesto’ to scrap CTF and offer free LTC thru 50p higher rate tax)