OKEHAMPTON'S MP has welcomed a £1,000 marriage tax allowance.

New figures reveal that 405,000 people in the South West are set to receive the Government's married couple's transferable allowance. The proposal, which will let people transfer £1,000 of their personal tax allowance to their spouse or civil partner, will be introduced in the 2015/2016 tax year.

Central Devon MP Mel Stride has supported the policy. He said: 'This is a clear demonstration that the Government values marriage and civil partnerships and wants to reflect this in the tax system.

'One spouse must be earning less than the personal tax allowance — currently £9,440 — to receive this benefit, so not all married couples will gain from it, but it will help where one spouse is on a particularly low salary or can only work part-time due to raising a family.

'In these instances an additional £1,000 tax-free will save the couple £200 a year, and will make a big difference for many people.'