Derek Deedman

Derek Deedman and Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable MP showing the Liberal Democrats’ plans to cut income tax.

Liberal Democrats in Arundel & South Downs have welcomed the party’s plans to cut income tax, paid for by shifting more of the tax burden onto pollution.

The plans were agreed at the Liberal Democrats’ recent conference in Brighton where members voted for a radical set of proposals that aim to encourage people to have greener lifestyles by rewarding with lower taxes those who pollute less.

Derek Deedman, Chairman of Arundel & South Downs Liberal Democrats, said, “Climate change is the biggest problem we face. The floods and storms we experienced this year in other parts of the Country are likely to happen more and more often if we do not tackle the causes of climate change now.

“If we don’t take action now the low lying parts of Ashurst, Bramber, Small Dole, Steyning and Upper Beeding are likely to face damaging floods on a regular basis from the River Adur in the future, and the bills for damage and destruction will grow and grow.

“Under Labour the share of taxes paid by polluters has fallen. Overall, it is now cheaper to pollute under Labour. Liberal Democrats want to change that. Residents of Arundel & South Downs will benefit from our plan to cut national income tax by 4p in the pound.

“But we will pay for this by shifting more of the tax burden onto those causing the most pollution. Those who choose to drive gas guzzling vehicles or who fly regularly will pay more. But those who decide to drive cleaner cars that pump out less polluting carbon emissions will be rewarded with a tax cut.”

The proposals also involve closing tax loopholes that currently allow the super rich to pay a lower rate of tax than those on low and medium incomes.

After the vote at conference on the tax cutting plans Derek Deedman met Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable to talk about how the policies will benefit the people of Arundel & South Downs.

Mr Cable said, “The unacceptable reality is that in Britain today the poorest pay a higher proportion of their income in tax than the super-rich. Under our proposals, tax cuts for the majority will be paid for by the wealthy minority, as well as those with environmentally damaging lifestyles.”

Liberal Democrats are taking the issue seriously. They know that just asking people to change lifestyles is not enough. To get real change, we need to give people a strong incentive. People need to be rewarded for being green through tax cuts.

If you opt to drive the most gas guzzling cars or to fly regularly in the most polluting planes, you will pay more.

But if you choose a clean, low emission vehicle, then you won’t have to pay car tax at all.

There is a choice under the Liberal Democrats. Go green and get tax cuts, or pollute and pay more.