Dr Evan Harris MP attacks Labour's 'pick and mix' budget

4.10.44pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 22nd Apr 2009

Oxford West & Abingdon MP Dr Evan Harris has criticised the budget for failing to do enough to help those on low and middle incomes who are struggling to make ends meet.

"The Government has tinkered with Tax Credits where it should have raised the personal allowance to £10,000 and given everyone on an ordinary income a £700 tax cut," said Dr Harris.

"This could have been paid for by clamping down on tax loopholes that favour the very well off."

Dr Harris also criticised the Government for continuing with the VAT cut. He believe the money that is being spent on this - £8.5 billion - should be invested in creating jobs for today and assets for the future, through projects such as building social housing, insulating homes, schools and hospitals and re-opening and upgrading railway lines.

On the 50p tax rate on income over £150,000 he said: "This is not a bad policy in itself, it is right that those who are doing very well should contribute more, but the Government needs to clamp down on tax avoidance to ensure that the extra revenue is actually raised."