Tories 'Plan Secret Tax Cut For Millionaires'

Labour has accused the Conservatives of plotting a secret tax cut for millionaires after the General Election, as political parties launched a battle over economic statistics.

Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls predicted a Conservative government would hike VAT - something David Cameron has ruled out - and slash the top rate of income tax for earnings over £150,000 from 45p to 40p.

The allegation was among a series of claims and counter claims as Labour, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems all claimed their rival parties would make people worse off.

Mr Balls said: "We know that is their secret plan - another big tax cut for millionaires.

"How can it be fair when families here in Leeds and across the country are struggling and £1,100 a year worse-off?

"How can it be fair to have a tax cut for the very richest when our NHS is in crisis and going backwards?

"How can this be fair when we need to get the deficit down and the Tories are now planning deeper cuts in the next three years than the last five?"

Speaking in southwest London, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg told Sky News the Conservatives had sought further tax cuts for millionaires in government but were only stopped by his party.

"I was very amused yesterday to hear George Osborne and David Cameron saying with earnest sincerity that they had no plan of giving further tax cuts to people at the top because, I tell you, they had exactly that plan in government and it was something that we said we would not go along with."

While Chancellor George Osborne has said there are "no plans" for a cut to the 45p rate of tax, he refused to rule it out definitively four times on Sky News.

But Tory Treasury minister David Gauke hit back by claiming Labour has a secret plan to boost revenues by dragging more workers into the 40p higher rate of income tax and increasing national insurance contributions.

"Ed Balls and Ed Miliband must set out the details of their secret plan for £3,028 of tax rises on every working family - the British people have a right to know what these tax hikes are.

"The choice at this election is clear. Lower taxes under David Cameron. Or higher taxes under Ed Miliband and the SNP."

Speaking in Bristol, Chancellor George Osborne echoed Mr Gauke's remarks, adding: "Income taxes are being cut today. We have taken 4 million of the low paid out of tax, and cut tax for 30 million working people. The personal allowance has risen from £10,000 to £10,600 in the last few hours.

"When I became Chancellor, the personal allowance was just £6,475. I have increased this every single year, in every single budget – and made sure it's paid for with savings in the cost of government, not money borrowed from the next generation.

"Today the higher rate threshold has also gone up, and in the next parliament, we will take the threshold up again so people can earn £50,000 before paying the higher rate of tax.

"These tax cuts this April are a stark contrast to the tax rises you'd get next April if Ed Miliband is in Downing Street. He would suck many more middle-income people into the higher rate of tax.

"Overall, their plans will hit those hard-working families with £3,000 more to pay in taxes – and whereas Ed Miliband wants to put up your taxes, we will carry on cutting them."

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While the Conservatives are highlighting figures that indicate people are better off, Labour claim the opposite.

Meanwhile, Lib Dem Chief Secretary Danny Alexander, has shared embarrassing details of a meeting from 2012.

Speaking to The Independent, Mr Alexander said: "The Tories' priority at the time was the top rate of tax.

"I remember one meeting with a group of senior Conservatives and one of them - I'm not going to say who - said: 'Listen, you take care of the workers and we'll take care of the bosses'."

Easter Monday also marks an overhaul of the pensions system , when for the first time pensioners will be able to cash in their savings rather than buy an annuity.

Liberal Democrat Pensions Minister Steve Webb said: "As a Liberal I believe people should have the freedom to do what they want with the money they have saved up throughout their working lives.

"Our pension reforms will mean millions more people will have a better retirement."