I’m a white van man who can’t afford fuel to drive my van. Hard-up Sun readers demand Boris cuts taxes NOW
NO matter how much hard-pressed Sun readers cut back, the bills keep spiralling out of control.
A cut in income tax will not come into force for up to two years — and there was little in the Government’s Queen’s Speech to combat inflation, which is expected to rise to ten per cent by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, annual home fuel costs are predicted to go up by another £900 in October.
In March, Chancellor Rishi Sunak promised to cut the basic rate of income tax.
But that may not start until 2024 — and struggling households want taxes slashed NOW so they have more money in their pockets.
Here, Grant Rollings speaks to Sun readers demanding action.
RAISING NI THRESHOLD WOULD HELP ALL
SINGLE dad Josh Waters, a support worker for homeless teens, said: “I want the Government to increase the National Insurance threshold.
“That would give us a little extra spending money to pay the bills on time.”
Josh, 30, from Falmouth, Cornwall, added: “I earn £24,000 a year but my daughter’s local play centre is too expensive now because the rates have increased by £3 per session.
“There is no money to save or even act as a safety net for people like us.”
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FIRST THING TO DO: LOWER INCOME TAX
KERRI LAYTON, who runs a live music agency, said: “Before the pandemic, my business was on the up.
“I rented a beautiful house in London, ate out all the time and regularly treated myself to new clothes.
“Recently, I’ve had to make big changes. I’ve moved into a small studio flat, barely drink any more and cook at home.”
Kerri, 37, from Kent, added: “Lowering income tax is the first thing that should have happened, and then freezing VAT.”
LOWER COSTS SO PEOPLE CAN GO OUT
MUSICIAN and producer Jerome Stokes has had to cancel gigs because hard-up punters are no longer going out.
He said: “Venues try to get us to perform for free or at cheap rates – and when we do, no one is there because patrons can’t afford to go out.”
Jerome, 55, from Queens Park, west London, added: “Tax cuts for the less well off are needed. The Government needs to produce an emergency quarterly budget because we won’t survive.”
I HAD TO GIVE UP MY CAR REPAIR FIRM
WHITE van man Dan Ware, 44, has ditched his beloved Ford Transit and got an office job.
The dad-of-five, from Medway, Kent, says: “I had to give up my car repair business during the pandemic because people weren’t driving.
“We use a key and card meter for our gas and electricity and I am having to top up £20 every couple of days. If the kids say they are cold I tell them to put a jumper on. It shouldn’t be like that.
“If the Government cut some taxes, I would have more money in my pocket.”
WE NEED MORE CASH TO COVER BILLS
BLACK cab driver Grant Davis, 58, says most of his passengers bring up the cost-of-living crisis.
The dad-of-two, from Bromley, Kent, said: “Boris Johnson needs to cut taxes so we have more money to pay our bills.
“Diesel is going through the roof, while my gas and electric direct debit went up from £175 to £380.
“Our trade was decimated during Covid and I am still trying to pay off my debts from those two bad years. It is like running on sand.”
UP VAT START POINT TO AID BUSINESS
TATTOO shop owners Amanda and Mike Dowdall, both 34, from Manchester, want help for small businesses like theirs.
Amanda said: “The Queen’s Speech was wishy-washy. If the VAT threshold was upped from £86,000, more small businesses could keep surviving.
“We don’t want people’s expansion plans crippled because big business gets more help than hard-working couples like us.
“We are cutting back on shopping bills and things are only going to get worse.”
GIVE REBATES TO AID BUILDING TRADE
KITCHEN and bathroom refurbisher Craig Munnely said: “I’ve had a quarter of booked jobs cancelled because the cost of building supplies and the cost of living is dramatically affecting my customers.
“They’re folks on less than £30,000 a year.
“It’s crippling me and I can’t afford a new van or new kit, let alone a holiday with the kids.
Dad-of-four Craig, 44, from Hertford, added: “Rebates are needed to help keep basic building supplies affordable.”
TAXES ARE SO HIGH I GET BY ON BEANS
MARK NICHOL runs a vintage clothes shop and reckons it “makes sense” to cut taxes.
He said: “Everything is really expensive these days, but it’s the tax that kills you.”
Mark, 23, from Newcastle, added: “The store is quieter because people don’t have disposable income to play around with so they aren’t buying as many clothes.
“Everyone is skint at the moment. I eat beans on toast and pot noodles for tea towards the end of the month when money is running low.”