Stuart Penketh the Conservative candidate for Ellesmere Port and Neston has called for the Government to re-think the proposals for a regressive tax on all fixed 'phone lines.  The new tax would affect nearly all of Ellesmere Port and Neston's some 35,000 households.  The Government is introducing this regressive tax to pay for the rollout of broadband.  The tax will be levied whether the owner of the landline has broadband or not.

 

"This Government is getting desperate to find more cash, introducing a new tax on any fixed landline of £6 whether the owner has Broadband or not.  This is symptomatic of Labour's top-heavy approach of the economy and its seventies style belief in Nationalised Industries.  An increase in the broadband capabilities of this Country would be best served by ending the monopoly of BT's ownership of ducts and bringing in further de-regulation of the market".

 

Stuart pointed out that half the Government is arguing for huge cuts whilst Gordon Brown is arguing for increased spending.

 

"No wonder the Government is forced to bring in regressive taxes during a recession if the Government cannot publicly agree how it is to both cut the deficit and increase spending."