Queen's Speech a missed opportunity for Edinburgh South - Mackintosh

7.49.19pm GMT Wed 3rd Dec 2008

The Government's plans for new laws will do little to help hard-pressed families in Edinburgh South, claims a leading local Liberal Democrat.

The plans were outlined in the Queen's Speech but disappointed Liberal Democrats say that the Government's announcements will do very little to help people in Edinburgh South cope with the recession.

"The measures given in the Queen's Speech are not enough to help people with the real problems we are now facing," said Fred Mackintosh, local Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson.

"With the massive discounts on offer in the shops at the moment, the short term trimming of VAT announced by Labour last week will make little difference. Britain needs the income tax cut targeted at low earners and paid for through closing loopholes that was identified by Vince Cable MP.

"Residents of Edinburgh who are worried by the economic situation will find little comfort in this programme. The Government wasted the opportunity to help people in last week's Pre-Budget Report and now with the Queen's Speech they are wasting it again.

"The Scottish Government should now step in and commit to a 2p cut in the basic rate of Income Tax to deliver the boost to our economy that London Labour failed to deliver today."

Related Link:

Tavish Scott proposes Scottish income tax cut.