Few Oldham and Saddleworth  families will benefit from Tory marriage tax plans

2 February 2010

New figures from the Treasury today reveal that only 6% of married couples would benefit from the Tories' new married couples plan.

Far from David Cameron’s commitment to ‘recognise all marriages', 94% of married couples would get nothing.

In fact, in order to fund this new tax pledge, David Cameron and George Osborne have admitted they will raise other taxes, hitting married couples as well as the rest of the population.

Phil Woolas said, "Marriage plays a vital role in our society. But David Cameron's latest marriage tax plan does nothing for 19 out of 20 married couples here in Colne Valley - except put a tax rise on their cars and holidays.

"David Cameron broke his promise to help all married couples when he was forced to admit his plans didn't add up.

"Now, he's got himself into the absurd position of having a married couples policy that leaves the majority of married couples worse off.

"As the Tories stagger from one promise to another, it's becoming clear their plans are dangerously ill thought through and they remain a risk to families and the economy."