In the light of the success of the Working Families Tax Credit and the minimum wage Chancellor Gordon Brown will be carrying out consultations with regard to his next proposed change to improve the income of working families.

The new Children's Tax Credit of up to £10 per week (£520 per year) will be introduced as from April 6, 2001 for families with children. It should also be remembered that the Labour Government has increased Child Benefit to £15 per week for the first child, compared to only £11.40 in 1997, and £10 for subsequent children.

With inflation and interest rates at a 30 year low, the Government's economic policy has achieved inflation levels of 2.5 per cent interest rates at six per cent and savings of around £1,000 on the average mortgage payments.

By April 2001, the direct tax burden on the family will fall to its lowest level for 25 years. Labour have introduced a starter rate of Income Tax of 10p and cut the basic rate to 22p which is the lowest for 20 years. VAT on domestic fuel has also been reduced eight per cent to five per cent. It should not be forgotten that Swindon's previous Tory MP supported the proposed VAT increase of 17.5 per cent on domestic fuel by his then Tory Government which would have resulted in an extra £50 in tax per year if the Tories had won that particular vote.

The question we should be asking is if the Tories win the next General Election will we be facing similar increases again?

COUNCILLOR PETE BROWN

(Swindon Borough Council)

White Edge Moor

Liden

Swindon