Massive pensioner tax free allowance hike under Labour

If half the electorate at the next General Election is going to be over 56 years of age, and older people tend to be more consciencious about the electorate, why isn't more being made of this.

Over the Easter holiday, my Mother has been staying with us. As is her way she likes advice about her financial affairs. She showed me her tax coding letters from HMRC for 2007/08, and 2008/09 which arrived before she travelled down.

It's astonishing. Her Personal tax-free income Allowance is up nearly 20% compared with the previous year at £9160 as it will be for everyone 75 years of age and older. Compared with the basic Personal Allowance of £5435, it is a staggering 69% higher and now I come to think about previous Budget statements planned to be even higher. For pensioners aged 65 to 74 the Personal Allowance is now £9030, or an equally staggering 66% higher than the basic rate.

We should be shouting this from the rafters, together with all the other measures to help those in need. Instead the Labour Party website is swamped with warm words about Neighbourhood Policing.