Ruth Edwards MP votes against emergency tax cut

Rushcliffe Liberal Democrats have today slammed Ruth Edwards MP for voting against an emergency tax cut in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

It comes as over 300 Conservative MPs voted against the measures put forward by the Liberal Democrats to cut VAT from 20% to 17.5%.

This proposal would be set to save families in Rushcliffe an average of £600 each, and would also reduce inflation by keeping prices down in the shops. However, it was blocked after the Conservatives voted it down.

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Chancellor Rishi Sunak to immediately bring in an emergency tax cut to help families facing soaring inflation and rising prices. The party is also calling for a windfall tax on the massive profits of oil and gas companies, to fund extra support for the most vulnerable families.

Rushcliffe Liberal Democrats' spokesperson Jason Billin has slammed the local Conservative MP for voting against the tax cut.

Commenting, Jason Billin said:

"People in Rushcliffe are struggling with skyrocketing energy bills and rising food and fuel prices.

"But the Conservatives have done nothing to help, and instead have blocked our calls for an emergency tax cut. Families and pensioners in Rushcliffe deserve better than Ruth Edwards MP, who voted against tax cuts put forward by the Lib Dems.

"The Liberal Democrats are fighting for a better deal for communities being let down and taken for granted by this Conservative government. Our plans for a VAT cut would put money back into people's pockets and boost spending in our high streets to support the economy."

ENDS

Note to Editors

Full voting record on the Lib Dem amendment to the Queen's Speech, which would have introduced an emergency VAT cut, can be found here.