Income tax latest: Chancellor must address British public and “come clean” on U-turn, say Lib Dems

Responding to the Chancellor's decision to U-turn on her plans to raise income tax, Liberal Democrat Business Spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said:

“The Chancellor gave a press conference to trail her income tax hikes. She must come before the British public today, unroll that particular pitch and come clean on what on earth is going on at the Treasury.

"If the Chancellor decides instead to raise income tax by slashing tax thresholds or extending the stealth tax freeze, that would be nothing more than smoke and mirrors and a broken promise in all but name.

"Liberal Democrats in government proudly raised people's tax-free allowance, taking millions of low earners out of paying tax altogether. Reversing that achievement would be a disaster for those already suffering under the cost of living.”