Increases in taxation

That this House notes that under current Government proposals not only will higher rate tax payers pay more in income tax but basic rate taxpayers, including many on average or below average incomes, as well as many senior citizens including some on the basic state pension, will also be paying more; and calls on the Government to reconsider the extent of tax rises and their intended duration, as over five million people, many of whom who can ill afford these increases, will suffer considerable hardship for a number of years under these proposals.