Vince Cable

Responding to George Osborne's speech on taxation, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable MP said: "The Tories' commitment to simplify - but not reduce - taxation is more spin without substance.

"Making our tax system simpler is not enough. We need it to be fairer and greener too. There must be a very substantial reduction in taxes on people's income and moves towards taxing pollution. It is unacceptable for low and middle income families to contribute a higher percentage of their earnings than the most affluent in society.

"It is increasingly clear that there the Tories are determined to mimic Labour on taxation. These plans won't help tackle climate change, won't help hard-working families and won't restore public confidence in the tax system."