Lib Dems lobby their own Ministers

LIBERAL Democrat Cabinet Ministers have been lobbied to push for changes that will benefit residents in Warrington.
Cllr Ian Marks (pictured), leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the borough council, was one of several local party members who attended the Lib Dem conference in Gateshead.
He attended two private briefing sessions to put grassroots views to Cabinet members.
Afterwards, he said: “Our first session was with Ed Davey the newly appointed Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.
“We argued forcibly for a continuation of the feed-in tariff to enable the continuation of the installation of photovoltaic panels. We accept that the subsidy from Government has to be reduced because the allocated money had run out and the cost of panels has fallen considerably.
“In the past the people benefiting tended to be better off but we want any scheme in the future to be available to all sections of society. We particularly want subsidies to be available for social housing and other public buildings like schools.
“Here in Warrington, the council working with Golden Gates Housing, has installed PV panels on 625 properties which is excellent.
“But work on other properties is on hold until the Government’s position on feed-in tariffs is clarified. PV installations together with other insulation measures and advice can bring huge benefits in combating the increasing problem of fuel poverty.
“Our second session was with Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury. We strongly supported his position of removing low earners from tax by raising the income tax threshold to £10,000 earlier than 2015. This could be paid for by removing tax breaks on pension contributions for higher earners and by blocking tax loopholes that for example allow multi-millionaires to avoid paying stamp duty. We strongly hoped he would be successful in persuading the Chancellor to agree to these measures.
“Many Warrington people would benefit from being taken out of tax sooner and it would be a good way of helping get the economy moving. It is outrageous that very wealthy people are able to escape paying tax and stamping out ways of evading tax are a top priority.”