Thousands of people in the Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend areas will be taken out of income tax altogether by new tax proposals launched by the Liberal Democrats today. Thousands more will see their income tax bill slashed by £700 a year.

The plans were launched by Party Leader Nick Clegg who said that they would boost family budgets battered by rising food, power and transport prices. The proposals call for the personal tax allowance to be raised to £10,000

South Wales West Welsh Liberal Democrat AM, Peter Black said, “Thousands of families on low income in this area will benefit from this tax cut. They will be lifted out of income tax altogether.

“People earning over £10,000 will pay £700 less income tax a year, paid for by ending the loopholes and tax avoidance schemes used by the wealthy and big corporations.

“Ordinary people are struggling because of the recession. Now is the time to make a far reaching and permanent change to the tax system that benefits those on low and middle incomes. Liberal Democrats want to see more money left in the pockets of ordinary people rather than taken away by the Government.

“Here in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend Liberal Democrats will be going into the general election committed to a lasting income tax cut.”