I`m trying to save up for my first house with my partner. As I live in a county with some of the lowest wages and the highest house prices in the country, this is becoming even harder to do now thanks to Labours Tax increases. Why don`t labour go all the way and just take every single last b****y penny we have, but I doubt they`ll even stop there! Together with the high fuel prices and now this, how are we going to be able to afford to live? Why do we have to pay so much tax? I don`t really see much of it going to much use. Where exactly does all the tax from fuel go? This country is really going to suffer.

chris, helston,

Have the government not thought that the people they will be hardest hitting are those that may vote Labour and are likely to be the vulnerable - the poorly paid and the elderly? With soaring costs, any decrease in tax for the general masses is good, but why has the tax allowance not increased to ensure this is passed on to everyone and does not penalise a large sector of society?

lisa clarke, great amwell, herts

im getting sick to death of paying large sums of tax to these greedy liars.i didnt vote "new labour" in the ninetees and ill not be voting "labour" next election.they are not a "labour" government,they are nothing more than parasites leeching money from the poor.they do not care about the country they represent,why should they.

justin, bideford, devon

Dont vote for them again. They are robbing the poorest for the richest. They should be investigated.

p carr, worcester, england

I am going to be £15 a month worse off because of the 10p tax rate cut. That might not sound very much to MPs on a substantial salary but to the low paid it is the difference between going hungry or going cold. Does Gordon Brown realise that he would gain far more credibility by admitting it was a mistake, he achieves nothing by his present excuses. There needs to be a large increase in the personal allowance level to offset this cut.

M Shuttleworth, Dorset, UK

my husband and i have worked for the local council for 30 years are now retired receive a council pension from this april together we will be £100 a month worse off in the media mr brown reported we would not suffer from this the loss of £1200 a year jointly is an amount we can ill afford with rate rises food prise rises etc why is mr brown picking on what he sees as an easy target but beware the silver surfers will cost him his job

mrs m a ward, huddersfield, england

I am a 61 year old ex serviceman on a modest pension and I'm worse of due the abolition of the 10% band, as are low rank army guys serving in war zones and many other low paid workers. We're told someone had to suffer because of these tax reforms, my question is why us? why not the better of who can afford it. Is labour swinging to the right and trying to forget the folks who traditionally were their supporters? They are a disgrace.

david shaw, chester,

I am a retired person and I receive two measly private pensions, the tax increase on one has risen from £5 per month to £12, in total I am £200 worse off per year. I am seriously thinking of never voting again, I do realise this is a silly attitude to adopt, but who do I vote for? When I was a young person a Labour Government represented lower paid people, all they are doing now is making life extremely difficult for the people who voted for them.

Brenda Smith, london,

Complete twaddle- taking from the poor to give to the rich! So you are earning roughly equal to or below £15,000- how can anyone possibly expect people to manage to pay that much more tax? It must be a move purely calculated to get Tory-voters on-side. Socialisim is truly dead here, it seems...

Peta, Manchester,

I have to work I have 2 jobs my tax has just up I now have to pay £8.00 in tax on £60.00 I know its my second job, but after paying for Diesel as well is it really worth it I have not yet received my other pay slip yet just cant wait.

Karen, Lincoln,

The abolition of the 10 pence band and reduction of the basic rate to 20% was a very astute move by Gordon Brown. For every person who says that they will never vote Labour again as a result, there will be just as many - if not more - people like me. I've always voted Conservative, but this new policy could swing me towards voting Labour in the next election.

There may be 5.3 million households that are worse off now, but that means that all other households are unaffected or better off. It's a positive move to see those who contribute the most to the economy rewarded in this way.

New Labour may march under a Labour banner, but their policies are Tory through and through...

Andrew, South Croydon, UK

This tax increase imposed on the low paid by the UK Labour government comes into effect in the week when the SNP Government of Scotland delivers on its promise to freeze council tax, cut prescription charges, scrap the graduate endowment and increase payments for free personal and nursing care. On this showing which of the two parties demonstrates that it is the party of the people?

There has been no comment on the income-tax rise, apparently, from Scottish Labour members of the Scottish Parliament, who have recently declared that they are "socialists" again. Was that just for one week only, the week of the Scottish Labour spring conference? What about this week? I think we should be told.

Speak up, Ms Alexander. I can't hear you. Are you Old Labour or New Labour or just labouring?

Jacques Delaittre, Paris, France

Really terrible interview yesterday on Radio 4 Ed Miliband. I was really willing to try and see your perspective of how the abolition of the 10p rate would be fairer overall but you didn't elaborate.. This was your opportunity to share an alternative perspective and silence your critics but you didn't use it. Call me a cynic but I think it was pretty obvious why. Clearly tax credits are not fully subscribed and are available to a smaller catchment of individuals. Shame on you again New Labour.

Sarah Wilson, York, UK

I am a woman state pensioner under the age of 65 but pay income tax as a single working woman, not as a pensioner over the age of 65. Therefore, since Brown abolished the 10% in the pound tax rate, I will be paying 100% more tax from this month. My personal pension, which was far lower than forecast, due to his meddling with the pension pots, will be all but wiped out in income tax from this month. I realised last year, as soon as this measure was announced in the Budget, that it would affect me badly and I have been writing letters to the Treasury ever since. When they do decide to reply, which is not very often, the replies are patronising to the point of rudeness. It seems strange that Labour MPs have only just taken up the case when they had all of last year to complain. Old cynic that I am, they clearly didn't want to make noises until it was obvious that it was too late to do so.

V Jones, Horley, Surrey

Absolutely disgusting.
Talk about rubbing the "worse off's noses in it."
I've voted Labour since I was old enough to vote, some 33years.
I doubt I will ever again unless this is reversed.
It Stinks! Stinks Stinks to high heaven.
Get a grip Brown, come and join some of us, your "struggling peasants" and get in the real world

Yours disgusted

Neil
West Yorkshire.

Neil Bartle, Pontefract, West Yorkshire

Downing Street and The Treasury may well have told the Times a review was not underway. But I bet there is!

Mike O' Connor, Plymouth, uk

great...................thanks labour for making me even worse off! i guess i will have to stop paying into my pension, and add the small ammount it was to my family's monthly living budget...........

wake up...................im an average guy with two kids, working a 40 hour week to make the money i need to live, and you want to take more from me, great plan that will win you lots of votes next time round!

how are you making my family's life easier, in fact you are punishing the individuals who work the hardest for the least ammount of money.

matthew robertson, aberdeen,

I totally agree with Jason Horn, I don't know who I am going to vote for the next time, I may for the first time in life, not vote!

Dee, Kent,

I agree with Nigel, benefit cheats cost the country far more, and with the Times last week advocating that students sign on the dole rather than find a stopgap job after University only exacerbates things and provides encouragement for trying to live off benefits!!!

Brett, Harrogate,

Looks like we're returning to the Jim Callaghan era of the early seventies all over again.

Shame we haven't got a suitable alternative to Gordon Brown. He will certainly not be getting my vote.

How come there is Prime Minister in office who we didn't even vote for? There were rumblings that he was worse than Blair but what choice did the country get? At least the USA get to choose who stands for election.

Gary, Birmingham, West Midlands

Through eight years of suffering from a blood cancer, I reduced my working hours to two days per week. I still work two days per week as I tire more easily than I did before I had cancer. I am much lower paid than I was when I was able to work full-time. Therefore, I will be one of those who will be affected by losing the 10p tax threshold. I am now 58 years of age. My pension contributions have lowered due to my lower salary. How can I save now ? lMy council tax has risen, so has gas and electricity. I do not receive any benefits. I will NEVER vote labour again. Labour talks about child poverty and I certainly don't like to think of anyone living in poverty. I have a friend whose husband earns over £70,000 per year. They have four children and collect a fortune in child benefit. Gordon, you have left me and millions of your supporters wondering what Labour stands for. You certainly don't stand for me. So who do you stand for ? Mary, Sheffield

Mary Hardy, Sheffield, UK

Not sure if this has already been said, but...
The change in income tax was anounced in the budget a year ago! So do people only look one day ahead - this could have been debated a year ago! No government can change a tax policy now - by the way I vote conservative, but even I think it's pointless debating this. Yes it does affect the poor and hasn't been thought out well - but as I say why only now do politicians notice it! Let down on all sides by this one!

Jason Day, Bury St Edmunds,

You work a full time job and get punished for it, by not being able to afford a house, dentist or pension. Is there any point of working or even living anymore? Please tell me.

anton, Immingham, uk

To the idiots who voted Labour in in the first AND SECOND instance: I hope you rot in it. Personally, I had no choice the first time round (too young to vote) and was not stupid enough to vote Labour in for their second term. I did however notice and the tender age of roughly 13 when I first saw Tony Blair's face, something that seemed so much like I would imagine the face of the Devil to look. So to the short term left wing thinkers out there, have fun trying to claw your way out of this mess you've created for yourselves.
I love this country but I refuse to see all my hard earned cash being used to ruin this once beautiful land and will be emigrating in August. Goodbye and good luck!

Debbie, London,

Perhaps MPs salaries could be cut back alongside all their perks instead. Why make low-income households suffer more than they already do?

Marie-Claire Oliver, Bath, United Kingdom

I earn £11000 per year I am 70years old and I get the fuel allowance each year??? Brown has just taken it back with a bit of interest.What kind of parasite is he.

fillingham, Wigan, Lancs

Why is it that us ,that prepared for our retirement by going without in our younger years are being penalized.

I know people that openly admit they spent every penny they earnt every week and enjoyed life--and are now drawing everyting they can on benefits --community charge -- rent and so on .

I am even taxed on my little bit of savings -- money that tax was already pain on when we were earning it .

JOY Goodwin , Wimborne, England

I earn £15,850 per annum and single with no children. I live a frugal life while working my socks off for local government. We are encouraged to save for retirement; will someone tell me how on earth am I supposed to do this?

Christine Spencer, Keighley, England

Nice to see so many Labour voters comments on this story. Have they not realised it is they who elected these incompetents to government and at the end of the day they are the ones who should hold their heads in shame for the ten years of misery they have inflicted on this country.

Cromwell, Leeds, England

There is only one possible comment. They are a bunch of incompetents. So what Balls have you to say now!

M. Cawdery, Portadown, Co. UK, EU.

J Smith has said it all !
I am 73 on £15000 a year pensions trying to cope with every increasing council taxes now £2200 a rear.
Lets hope we can vote this government out next time.

James Beardsell, Broadstone, Dorset

Where have these MP's been for the last 12 months?

Perhaps too busy filling in their expenses to notice.

John, Shefford, Beds

My wife earns less than me and will pay an additonal £41 in tax this year due to Gordon Brown, and does not qualify for Tax Credits.

I, however, will pay £50 less tax.

Conclusion: Gordon Brown cares nothing about lower wage earners, and New Labour is old Tory.

Stephen Russell, Maidstone, UK

Well said J Smith, it seems this Labour government is going for the easy target in it's panic to win the next election. Well I have had enough after a lifetime of voting for Labour I can no longer support them.

Terry, Newcastle, UK

What do you expect!
"For they know not what they do".
I equate the people that in are in the Cabinet the same as the Lottery winners who have never had money before and 'blow the lot' due to lack of experience or exposure to money.
They have done just the same for the last 10 years they won the lottery after 18 years in the political wilderness in 1997 when Labour got into power. They have 'blown the cash' and now realise that they need more hence the UK is highest tax paying Country in the World!
Power corrupts absolute power corrupts absolutely!

Andy Moore, Solihull, West Midlands

Add to this the increase in NI for which i can see no logical reason for existence..and the fact that the UK is reputedly the 5th largest economy in the world and one can see that the govt is immoral in its politics and incompetent in its administration a very dangerous combination.

time for a change. and time for a complete overhaul of the structure and system of govt in the uk.

zugerman, zurich, switzerland

It was necessary to axe the 10p rate to pay for the MPs expenses scam and wallpaper for various luxury homes some of them get. Get your priorities right people, the public purse isnt there to properly equip soldiers when theyre sent to die in wars, or maintain agreements on pay etc.- except where our glorious political class can further feather their nests of course and provide employment for their families and friends- I could go on.

alan, worcs.., uk

This is not a Labour Government that we used to know and love, this is a bunch of incompetent pretenders. Sack them all at the next GE.

John, Woking, Surrey

OH, so this is probably why Gordon Brown is so reluctant to make any great criticism of China or Zimbabwe!! We too have an unelected leader, who doesnt listen to the people, just rules from his palace while the standard of living worsens; except for the wealthy few, who have the power to threaten to take their money elsewhere, such as the non-domiciles. He also chooses to ignore independent experts, that back up popular opinion such as in the case of the recent report on immigration.....

Perhaps his target is to keep raising taxes, keep encouraging people to live off the state, until nobody owns anything anymore - the state owns it all, and pays for all. Red is the Labour colour after all.

I can only say sorry - I was a Labour voter. Not any more though. When Democracy returns the the UK, and we can vote for our leader, I hope we as a nation get our voice heard for a change.

simon, Chatham, Kent

Where were all these worried Labour MPs when the budget was being discussed and voted?
How did they vote?

Fothers, aylesbury,

The Government says it wishes to encourage young people into the “world of work” yet my daughter (24), who works full time in the UK, not only finds herself worse off as a result of the abolition of the 10p band but worse off than other young, single females who choose not to work but have children instead. Mixed signals from a Government that prides itself on being “joined up” and competent economic managers.

Nigel Bradshaw, Karlshamn, Sweden

They are not bothered about losing the election - they are only bothered about keeping their nice little professions - and expenses !

Don't bother voting for any on the usual suspects LibLabCon - 3 branches of the same party !

Your only hope is to vote for another party - there are a few you know - check them all out online and make your decision - you might just surprise yourself !!

john, Bolton, UK

Matilde is unfortunately perpetuating the myth that the changes penalise all state pensioners. Although it is undoubtedly bad for the 300,000 or so female state pensioners and any males who have retired before state pension age, who are not 65 now or do not attain age 65 during the current tax year, any pensioner who has/does and has an income not exceeding £21,800 (which is most) has been fully compensated by only having to pay tax once their income exceeds the increased figure of £9030 (more if older).

Tony Knight, Durham,

nu-lab's tax policies are unfair and poorly thought through. however, the biggest scandal is where the money is going, not where it is coming from.

jem, london, uk

In the bigger picture, it does not matter, as he faces axing by the public in the next general election.

Arthur, Newcastle,

In what appears to be a perverse attempt at campaigning to lose the next general election, Brown seems to be systematically alienating every type of voter... Perhaps the next step will be wage cuts for his own MPs?

Andy, Cambridge,

The Labour Party is revolting - well, that is hardly news!

Peter, London,

So now we know. It is New Labour policy to make the rich richer. And the poor poorer.

If they hadn't already lost my vote over privatisation of the NHS (nothing about that in any New Labour manifesto) they would lose it again over this.

Pat Goodall-McIntosh, Chesterfield, UK

Have the Labour MPs been asleep on the benches since the change in the Tax Rates were first announced by G Brown--, or has the fact that they are nearing Local Election time awoken them from their deep slumber.
Ralph Broad
Derbyshire

Ralph Broad, Hope Valley, Derbyshire

Lily, London
You seem to be misinformed. Most pensioners will also be worse off as not all of them qualify for or claim benefits. If on £15,000 you cannot afford to have the heating on how do you think that those having to live on less than £9,000 are expected to cope? Pensioners like me (pls read also Margaret Hayward posting here) will be worse off as we are not not entitled to pension credit . Our pension is above what the government obviously considers "starvation level". We are those who have to choose between eating and heating.
To David Marusza
What can one say to someone like you? Clearly you think that I should be paying more tax so that you pay less. I worked full time all my life, paid my taxes and NI and NEVER once, in 40 years, did I claim or receive as much as £1 from the State in benefits. Yes, I do object to this perverse action by a so called Labour government.
Matilde

matilde, London,

Frank Field stood against this from the outset (though, granted, with the 14th largest majority in the House). Only today does he seem to be heard. Perhaps his newly vociferous colleagues are now doing a Mugabe and reviewing their votes in the last election!

Mike L, Chippenham, Wilts

This will please middle England (reduced tax) and the lower paid will rely on tax credits even more- a win-win for Nu-Labour, Brown isnt as daft as you think!

Steve, coventry, u.k.

Why did it take so long the Labour MPs to realise how unfair this tax increase is? I'm afraid it's too late now for GB to take it back. The Labour Party has collective responsibility for the failings of this Governemnt.

Eunice, London,

This is a disgrace. My daughter is disabled and relies on her D.L.A.( not taxed )and her incapacity benefit (A taxable benefit. When her father died the pension trustees gave her a small pension. She is now taxed on this and that has doubled. She has severe Autism and will never be able to work since she cannot read or write. Why does she to have to suffer even more indignity over this tax mess. Jane Glasgow U.K.

Madeline Jane Hook, Glasgow, UK

I'm sick and tired of endless bashing of 'middle/high income earners' - do you really anticipate that a political party can be elected based on low income voters only, and is your desire for Britain to have so many low income voters that they could elect the labour party?

I am a 'high earner' as well as a socialist (yes, there are more of us around that is often believed) - I am disgraced that I will be substantially better off with these tax changes, and appalled that anyone earning less that c15k is subsidising this.

Make no mistake about it - Gordon's abandonement of hard working low, middle and high earners will return to haunt him. My exasperation is that no other politial party is brave enough to offer a compelling alternative.

Debbie , Manchester, England

My husband and myself have cancelled our direct debit for membership of the Labour Party. I slaved my guts out to help them win the 1997 election - as did many others. I was branch secretary for years and helped raise funds etc. This is the last straw.

How many others will be doing the same? Where will their funding for the next election come from? Ah ha..... perhaps those 'richer' members and sponsors who can afford it??

Nice one Gordon.

Pat Tack, Preston, Lancashire

I am 26 and have no children and earn around £15,000 per year. I don't know where people get the idea that 'Middle Englanders' will be the only ones suffering from this tax rise. I will be much worse off from this and already have to think twice about having the heating on in the winter, now I probably won't be able to afford it. Yet because I am not a pensioner and have no kids I am entitled to nothing. MPs say it is 'only' a loss of 0.5% of income but try taking 0.5% of their income and see what they say then. Mr Brown has lost my vote now.

Lily, London,

Why has it taken so long for these Labour MPs to revolt, after all this grossly unfair income tax rise, which deliberately targets the less well off in society to the advantage of the wealthy, has been known about for some time? Do they really care about the very people that the Labour Party is supposed to represent or are theyjust keeping up appearances? If it is the latter then Labour MPs are truly revolting.

Neil, Gloucestershire, England

“It’s against everything we stand for,” he told The Times.

Does anyone know what NuLab stands for?

R Bingham, Lauzun, France

The Labour Party ceased to be the party of the people under Tony Blair. Recognising they could never gain power without the support of middle/high income earners they set out to court the extra votes at the same time assuming that they would never lose the support of the traditional Labour heartlands.

Gordon Browns abolition of the 10% tax band will hurt only the low paid, those in an income bracket already hurting most from increasing costs in essential services and food.

His abandonement of the hard working low income earners, many in traditional labour seats will return to haunt him....roll on the next election.

Steve, Oldham, UK

"The changes[..] effectively double tax to 20p in the pound for those earning less than £18,000." This isn't exactly the effect.

Mark, London,

The abolition of the 10p rate of tax will make me substantially worse off. As I live in Lincolnshire, where the police have increased their part of the Council Tax by 78.8%, yes 78.8%, I will be worse off financially by a country mile. I for one will not be voting labour again, and I know many people locally who feel the same way. I have written to my local MP (Labour) regarding the proposed changes but not surprisingly, she has failed to reply.

Kevin, Lincoln, UK

inevitably the MPs and especially memebers of teh government have no conception of the real lives of evryday folk.
The only thing that might make our santimonious leader eat humble pie and rescind this dreadfull tax increase on the sections of the population least able to afford it is the final realisation of the fact that they might just ;ose the next election. To individual MPs I am convinced that the only thing they really take seriously is to ensure that they are re elected to the sinecures for ! Everything else takes second place!

Joe Bourne End bUCKS!

JOE FLYNN, bourne end , bucks

David Marausza,

You seem to be missing the point.

The level of taxes extracted from a citizen should be commensurate with their ability to pay. This tax increase will penalise those workers in society with the lowest incomes and whom do not receive any compensatory benefits from the state.

As a full-time clerical worker earning 13,000 per annum, I have already severely felt the inflationary trends seen over the past number of months; particularly the increases in food and fuel prices.

The abolition of the 10% band will only make my position worse while - ironically - those who decide not to work, and instead receive their living and housing costs entirely from the Government, will remain utterly unaffected by the change.

This Government's policy benefits the more affluent and non-working parasites at the expense of workers in the lower income bracket whom do not receive benefits.

Surely this is utterly unacceptable, especially from a Labour government?

Daniel, Belfast,

Why the fuss now? Has it really taken this long for the Labour Party and Media to realise what an awful decision this was?

The effects of the abolition of the 10% band was obvious as soon as it was announced. I'm glad that the public are eventually realising how poorly Gordon Brown is managing this country.

W Cobern, London, UK

This is the Labour Party's poll tax. Labour MPs will fall like ten pins at the next election because for all their huffing and puffing they don't have the b--ls to do anything about it.

Bob, croydon,

I would liek to see the accounts of government open to the general public with a break down of revenue recieved and from where and expenditure from all TAX, Income, NI, Road Tax, Council Tax and VAT (Petrol, Alcohol and the usual 17.5%).
The role of the government is not to penalise the population for wanting to work hard but to assure them that working harder, earning more and raising their standards of living is the right thing to want for themselves and their family.
We have had enough in this country of all these stelf taxes putting more and more pressure on our own pockets while members of the government continue to raid the coffers for their own gain and a new kitchen, employ their wife etc... Government are supposed to help and assist the general populous not make the act of living and enjoying life harder, it is about time these so called experst in their field actually lived the life of the "common family" and see how they being robebd ona daily basis. A proud country?

Jason Horn, Tring, England

I am just amazed that the MPs (and the press) are such slow readers.
This change was announced - along with even more punitive changes to National Insurance - a twelvemonth ago. And yet it's only now that the dunces have caught up.
What do they do for their money in the few days that they attend Parliament , apart from vote therough unworkable laws, give each other pay rises and increase the size of their pork laden trough.
Enough - away with them now!

chris, Reading,

It makes me sick to the stomach to hear these so called rebelys pretend they care about the poor - Labour have put the poor at the bottom of the list since 1997 !!! Infact if a poor person introduced him or her self to a Labour MP the politician would run a mile in less than 3 minutes.

Ian Payne, WALSALL,

In the 1980's I was widowed and left with a small child and a babe in arms but we muddled through and the children both completed their degrees.
In 1996 I was medically retired aged 50.
Now aged 61 I am to lose £168 of the £200 fuel allowance I received for the first time last November.
No Mr. Marusza I do not concider myself to be part of middle England nor am I a scrounger as I am not elligible for benefits having a small pension from my husband. I had hoped that once I was officially retired life would be easier but no such luck.

barbara, north east,

Abolishing te 10% band effectively wipes out the rise in personal allowances. Just do the maths! So it has finally hapened, Labour are no longer interested in the being a party of the people.

Ron, Milton Keynes, Bucks

I am one of those women who retired at 60 and have found my income tax doubled at a stroke. I am a mere five pounds a week above the threshold for state help, but I am not at all surprised at this government's attitude. What makes me really angry is being called an early retirer.

Margaret Hayward, Corby, UK

With Labour and the Speaker ripping off the the electorate with their hands in the till, they need every penny they can get their hands on. Hopefully the lowest paid will be more vociferous then their better paid compatriots. Revolution is in the air!!!!!!! Bring it on!

Pauli, London,

When Gordon Brown introduced the 10p starting rate of tax he hailed it in his 1999 Budget as “the lowest starting rate of tax since 1962”

Is the same man now responsible for the biggest increase in the starting rate of tax in all time?

Eddie, Cheshunt, Herts

This "tax rise" will mostly affect the ex-middle Englanders...those with small company pensions to add to their old age pensions, who have an income just above the threshold for state help, but too low to be able to pay all the rises in council tax, electricity, gas and so on. Mr Marusza has plainly never had to struggle to make ends meet, and to choose between food and warmth. We are supposed to be a caring country, but we don't seem to care about our own old folk in this I'm all right Jack age!!

J Smith, Ellesmere Port, UK

Are there never to be tax rises on low earners? perhaps we should just alienate middle England further and risk long-term defeat by squeezing the middle classes to fund already generous welfare-statism in a time of recession and house price falls?

Whilewe are at it, why don't we give the teachers their rise, and te police and go back to the merry old Britain of the 1970s?

The labour party needs to get proportion and get behind the leadership.

David Marusza, Islington, UK