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UKIP conference: Income tax cuts plan to be unveiled | UKIP conference: Income tax cuts plan to be unveiled |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The UK Independence Party has said it would cut income tax from 40p to 35p for people earning up to £55,000. | The UK Independence Party has said it would cut income tax from 40p to 35p for people earning up to £55,000. |
At its party conference, which has begun, UKIP will also promise to raise to £13,500 the amount people can earn before paying any income tax. | At its party conference, which has begun, UKIP will also promise to raise to £13,500 the amount people can earn before paying any income tax. |
In a plan to win the "blue-collar vote", Nigel Farage's party will pledge to fund the changes by leaving the EU and cutting UK foreign aid by 85%. | In a plan to win the "blue-collar vote", Nigel Farage's party will pledge to fund the changes by leaving the EU and cutting UK foreign aid by 85%. |
Mr Farage said he expected UKIP to have "real influence" after the election. | Mr Farage said he expected UKIP to have "real influence" after the election. |
He told the BBC it was important that people thinking of voting for UKIP knew what his party would be "fighting for" in the event of a hung Parliament next May. | He told the BBC it was important that people thinking of voting for UKIP knew what his party would be "fighting for" in the event of a hung Parliament next May. |
Mr Farage will address an estimated 2,000 activists at the conference at Doncaster Racecourse - which is near Labour leader Ed Miliband's constituency - at 15:00 BST. | Mr Farage will address an estimated 2,000 activists at the conference at Doncaster Racecourse - which is near Labour leader Ed Miliband's constituency - at 15:00 BST. |
As well as tax, Mr Farage is expected to make a direct appeal to Labour voters, claiming the opposition has failed to stand up for the people it was founded to represent. | As well as tax, Mr Farage is expected to make a direct appeal to Labour voters, claiming the opposition has failed to stand up for the people it was founded to represent. |
Tax cuts | Tax cuts |
At present the tax-free "personal allowance" applies for income up to £10,000, then a "basic rate" of 20% is paid on earnings up to £41,865. | At present the tax-free "personal allowance" applies for income up to £10,000, then a "basic rate" of 20% is paid on earnings up to £41,865. |
The 40p rate is payable on income from £41,866 to £150,000, with the "additional rate" of 45% paid on anything over £150,000. | The 40p rate is payable on income from £41,866 to £150,000, with the "additional rate" of 45% paid on anything over £150,000. |
Under UKIP's plans, everyone earning between about £44,000 and £55,000 would pay income tax at 35p. Those earning more will pay 40p, with the additional rate scrapped. | Under UKIP's plans, everyone earning between about £44,000 and £55,000 would pay income tax at 35p. Those earning more will pay 40p, with the additional rate scrapped. |
Analysis | Analysis |
By Ross Hawkins, political correspondent | |
Eight years have passed since David Cameron dubbed UKIP's members fruitcakes, loonies and closet racists. | |
At their conference a man hands out free fruitcake, as a reminder. | |
You could almost believe nothing had changed. | |
Almost. | |
But MEPs mix with defectors from other parties here. Lobbyists buttonhole members. Rumours of another defection swirl. | |
They discuss the chances of troubling Labour in the coming by-election in Greater Manchester as much as they worry Conservatives in Clacton. | |
Still they style themselves as political outsiders: a powerful pitch to voters fed up with the other parties. | |
Rival politicians don't tend to insult UKIP members any more. | |
But the party that insists it's nothing like the others doesn't want voters to forget their jibes. | |
Mr Farage said the tax changes would cost £12bn but it could be paid for by the UK leaving the EU, cutting back the foreign aid budget and not going ahead with the HS2 rail link. | Mr Farage said the tax changes would cost £12bn but it could be paid for by the UK leaving the EU, cutting back the foreign aid budget and not going ahead with the HS2 rail link. |
"It is a lot of money, I agree," he said. "But there are a range of measures there that would more than cover these tax cuts. We are not promising the earth because it [the policy] is costed. | "It is a lot of money, I agree," he said. "But there are a range of measures there that would more than cover these tax cuts. We are not promising the earth because it [the policy] is costed. |
"We have argued for many years that people on low salaries shouldn't be paying tax because it is a huge disincentive to come off benefits and because their living standards are going down each year because of the increase in prices. | "We have argued for many years that people on low salaries shouldn't be paying tax because it is a huge disincentive to come off benefits and because their living standards are going down each year because of the increase in prices. |
"By pushing for this hard, I would not be surprised if one or more of these parties adopted this line and we helped to shift the agenda." | "By pushing for this hard, I would not be surprised if one or more of these parties adopted this line and we helped to shift the agenda." |
However, the Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank has suggested the entire package of tax changes could cost up to £19bn. | However, the Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank has suggested the entire package of tax changes could cost up to £19bn. |
Parliament recall | Parliament recall |
Mr Farage has claimed it is not inconceivable that the party could hold the balance of power in the event of an inconclusive election result. | Mr Farage has claimed it is not inconceivable that the party could hold the balance of power in the event of an inconclusive election result. |
Although it is not represented at Westminster at the moment, UKIP is hoping to get its first MP next month in the Clacton by-election on 9 October. | Although it is not represented at Westminster at the moment, UKIP is hoping to get its first MP next month in the Clacton by-election on 9 October. |
The Clacton vote was triggered by the defection to UKIP of Conservative MP Douglas Carswell, who resigned his seat to stand for re-election. | The Clacton vote was triggered by the defection to UKIP of Conservative MP Douglas Carswell, who resigned his seat to stand for re-election. |
Mr Carswell will speak at the conference later, as will John Bickley, who will run for UKIP in the Heywood and Middleton by-election to be held on the same day. | Mr Carswell will speak at the conference later, as will John Bickley, who will run for UKIP in the Heywood and Middleton by-election to be held on the same day. |
Mr Farage has said the recall of Parliament on Friday to discuss air strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq was scheduled to upstage the start of UKIP's two-day conference. He said Prime Minister David Cameron would "do anything he can to try to deflect attention away from UKIP". | Mr Farage has said the recall of Parliament on Friday to discuss air strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq was scheduled to upstage the start of UKIP's two-day conference. He said Prime Minister David Cameron would "do anything he can to try to deflect attention away from UKIP". |
Philip Collins, chair of centre-left think tank Demos, said UKIP's stance was "absolutely bizarre". | Philip Collins, chair of centre-left think tank Demos, said UKIP's stance was "absolutely bizarre". |