Conservatives force Labour climbdown on Finance Bill tax hikes

Conservatives can today announce that they have forced the Government to scrap three damaging tax measures in the Finance Bill – the phone tax, the 10 per cent tax hike on cider, and the proposal to scrap tax relief for furnished holiday lettings.

Following discussions between the Conservative Treasury team and the Government, these proposals have now been removed from the Bill and will not be debated when it goes through all its stages in the House of Commons tomorrow.

Commenting, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Philip Hammond, said:

“This is a major victory for businesses and consumers across Britain. The Conservatives have forced the Government to back down on three significant tax hikes – on fixed phone lines, cider and holiday lettings - that would have hit consumers and businesses in the pocket and damaged the recovery. But the threat couldn’t be clearer - if Labour is re-elected all three taxes will come back. Only a Conservative Government will stop Labour’s tax increases.

“This shows why we need change – why it’s time for an end to Labour’s debt, waste and taxes – time for a new Conservative Government with the energy, ideas and vision to get the country moving again.

“The choice at the election could not be clearer - five more years of Gordon Brown’s tired government making things worse, or real change with the Conservatives.”
Harriett Baldwin, parliamentary candidate for West Worcestershire added: “The cider industry and holiday lettings industry are important parts of our local economy and this is a piece of good news for West Worcestershire. This climbdown is a blow for the Government and I look forward to May 6 when the voters will get their chance to place the running of the economy in safe, Conservative hands.”