WE should like to draw your readers? attention to the fact that the Liberal Democrats have recently renewed their threat to introduce a new local income tax and regional income tax, which would mean soaring tax bills across West Devon.

The proposals were outlined during the Liberal Democrats? Party conference in Brighton and reflect the party?s official policy.

We already know that taxes on income have been hiked up by Labour through higher National Insurance, supported by the Liberal Democrats. Now, the Lib Dems are planning a new local income tax for us all and a regional income tax for the South West Region to fund regional assemblies, on top of their plans for higher rates of national income tax.

These plans would be bad news for the hard-working residents of West Devon. The average council tax across the borough is currently £1,035 for each property.

Replacing it with a local income tax and regional income tax could be equivalent to a tax rate of 9% extra on pay packets and savings income, on top of higher national taxes. This could mean well over £3,000 a year bills for a typical two-earner household.

Local income tax has all the disadvantages of the old poll tax ? families and shared houses with more than one earner would see their tax bills soar. Pensioners would not escape either ? their savings income would be taxed to the hilt as well. West Devon deserves a fair deal, not ever higher taxes.

Dick Eberlie

Leader, Conservative Group, West Devon Council

Geoffrey Cox

Conservative parliamentary spokesman for West Devon and Torridge