Queen's Speech Will Not Help Families in Essex

9.19.54pm GMT Wed 17th Dec 2008

The Government's plans announced in the Queen's Speech will do little to help hard-pressed families in our area, claims a leading local Liberal Democrat.

"The measures given in the Queen's Speech are not enough to help people with the real problems that we are now facing," said Peter Wilcock, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate.

"We need legislation to change the way that energy tariffs work - to make sure that people get the cheapest prices for their essential fuel and power - and changes to taxes to put money back in people's pockets.

"With the massive discounts on offer in the shops at the moment, the short term trimming of VAT will make little difference. What we need is income tax cuts targeted at low earners and paid for by closing loopholes for the better off. Residents of our area who are worried by the economic situation will find little comfort in this programme.

"We need action to force the banks to lend money on fair terms to small businesses and families. The government must make it quite clear that if the banks cannot be made to act, the government will lend directly itself. However, Conservatives at Essex County Council should not put at risk council taxpayer's money if their plan to create a Bank of Essex is realised. Gambling our Council Tax is not acceptable. They should use the huge reserves that they have accumulated through year-on-year budget underspends to reduce next year's Council Tax increase to a minimum. The burden of Council Tax falls disproportionately on lower income households, so a Council Tax reduction will be of particular benefit to them."