Good evening. I have been involved in the industrial paint industry for 30 years, since i left college.. Our industry is one of the most visible industries in the world....Not many people even consider how we change the look of "our world".. Industrial paints and powder coatings are used to colour everything from Mobile Telephones to Earth Moving Equipment.. What pressure are you putting on the Government in terms of protecting the manufacturing industry.. It seems to me that we do not have a level playing field against our European and Far East competitors and are further hampered by the huge costs of energy and fuel.... Over the last 5 years i have been part of a small team that have changed a loss making business into a more streamlined business that just needs a level playing field to do very well. I do not believe the government has any interest in the manufacturing industry and wonder what value the conservatives hold for manufacturing..... To carry on claiming that our economy is growing year after year when "our visible industry" has been declining for over 10 years, is a total nonsense..... If my grandads generation had placed so little value on our manufacturing industries, i would suggest we would not be speaking English as our first language.....

How can anybody claim that inflation is low? When people - particularly those on low incomes - have to pay for rapidly rising essentials such as home energy bills and food out of virtually static incomes (or via the 10% fiasco, falling incomes), they know a fib when they see one. Whilst it can be argued that our representatives might be entitled to a reasonable salary (if they are good enough to deserve it), it's pretty obvious that it also makes them less appreciative of the need to make every penny count.

Why are Labour so poor at explaining why they think changes are a good idea? Surely someone must have thought the abolishion of 10p tax band was a good idea, and yet it is obvious that the people affected will object. Another example was Child Trust Fund payments. Parents of older child who don't get the payment and are not eligible to open a CTF account, even if they made up the payment themselves, would consider their child to be discriminated against? So lets loose the vote of 75% of parents, and poor people and perhaps the super rich (who mustnt pay taxes like the rest of us in case they leave the country) will be sufficient in numbers to elect Labour in the future?

My God, I sat and listened to some nit wit MP on TV today insisting the price of fuel is out of their control??? is over 70%of what we pay at the pump Tax?? or am I the nitwit??? out of their control my back side.

Its obvious the price of fuel is damaging labour and they need to reduce the tax as soon as possible. The alternative is Boris Johnson.

There is no way they will reduce tax. They can't. They don't have any slack with UK plcs finances. The only way they could help is to change the way VAT is added. Instead of Adding vat to the Base Fuel cost + duty, they could add Vat to the Bast fuel cost and then add duty. It would take some pressure off. But remember, the high cost of petrol is saving the planet....isn't it?

Yeah, fuel duty is saving the planet and Mickey Mouse is my Mum. Unfortunately, we have to stump up more tax for petrol to make up for the loss of revenue that we used to get from the...addicts before Britain went PC and banned the weed (except in the Houses of Parliament; hmmmmm, leading by example?). Let the daft beggars kill themselves if they wish, as long as they're paying more in tax than it costs the NHS to help them shuffle into their box.

My view is simple. The second Labour abolished the 10p tax rate, they lost my vote. I am one of those unfortunate people who are going to be affected by this disasterous decision. I am also one of those who are not going to benefit from child benefit as i have none. Labour, in my opinion, seem to forget that there are many, many young people who don't earn alot, who don't have children and are not elderly, who can vote!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE EXIST LABOUR!!! SORT IT OUT.

I think yesterdays announcement has gone a long in way in fixing this problem. Well done Gordon - we know you can do it!

Rachel, SNAP! I myself have also decided to no longer support labour and turn my attention to the Lib Dems who's policies seem to be aimed at people like myself. What Labour forget is, we younger guys are not like the older generation who may of always voted for the same party regardless, we will look at things that matter to us, how policies effect us, and how we would be better off both as individuals and a country and decide who will get our votes based on that. Therefore Labour need to get a grip and plan for the future, where are all these MPS in the labour party who are our generation and not old school with an old way of thinking? The poor should not end up poorer, and rich end up richer, you should pay taxes on your ABILITY to pay, low income lower taxes, higher income higher taxes, doesnt that make sense? Why tax a low earner more or the same as a high earner?

Thanks for this latest news from Harriet, but there is one figure I am puzzled by and that is the reference to those living in relative and absolute poverty. Figures I have seen say that 7-8% of households or 5M households remain in Absolute poverty and have done so for the last 20 years - ie since Thatcher and despite all the good work Gordon did as Chancellor and continues to do as PM. The figures for those in relative poverty seem to be much the same - stuck at between 20-24% or 12-14M. If the improvement has really been so substantial for pensioners, is that because we have focused on these when in fact the very real need should be children and though significant, lifting 600,000 children out of relative poverty and over 1.7 million out of absolute poverty is far from adequate. I will have benefited from the reduction in taxation from 22% to 20% but those on lower wages not only loose the 10% rate but are also more likely to be hit by the rises in indirect taxation which have allowed Gordon to out-Tory the Tories. How will we respond to the Tories when they continue the movement towards more indirect taxation and reduce it to below 20% - which they will. We need to change the debate and I had hoped that Gordon would be the man to do it. Let's see a reduction in VAT rather than playing the income tax game. Let's see an increase in the basic allowance to all tax payers rather than a reduction in the tax rate. Those doing a 40 hour week on minimum wage should not be paying income tax at all and there should be significant tax breaks for those whose spouse works at home looking after and helping raise children and those in need of care on either a full or part-time basis.

Rebellion collapses! Paid-off by fine words buttering parsnips - how many will stiil be ineligible, fail to claim, etc.? It's simple, JUST change the tax-codes, and give the 'pensioners' tax-allowance to all those who receive a pension. Otherwise it's smoke-and-mirrors as usual.

Anna, I am a guy who is in his 20's and worked since I was 16 years old. I am open minded when it comes to politics and will put my vote to the party who I believe have the best policies for all, including myself and who I believe have a vision for the future. Since 16 this has always been labour, but now I find myself looking at the Lib Dems policies which seem to make more sense, these for example taxes are based more on your ability to pay based on your income. What I would like to see is a government who are not scared to tax the highest earners and richest people, and make lives better for those on a lower income. Instead of having many different taxes to pay such as council tax, income tax, NI, tax on food, clothes, petrol, tv licence etc etc there should be one FAIR tax taken from your salary each month who covers EVERYTHING. A % of that goes to local councils, a % for income tax, a % for NI, a % to the BBC - it seems now in 2008 we spend 70% of our wages each month on taxes and bills than anything else, its got to the point now where things need to change for the future!

Oh dear Keith, when Lib policies make sense then it's time to put on the jacket with the long sleeves that tie behind your back. However, I get your gist, and Anna is correct about the underhand tactics too. All politicians do seem to be the same nowadays; intent on...as much money as they can to support their egos and expense accounts. Is it any wonder that all parties are virtually bankrupt because inflow of funds from memberships and donations has dramatically reduced? Unsurprising, when long suffering Joe Middle-England is constantly shafted for tax, tax, tax. I don't mind paying my whack but a level playing field must exist where high-earners can't get away with not paying theirs. A flat tax of 15-20% on all income, with no exemptions or allowances, would ensure that high-income tax-avoiders pay their contribution the same as everybody else.

The whole economy is based on debt and this massive house price bubble. I remember Gordon stating that "He will not let house prices get out of control, and jepodize stability". However his interview for the BBC sort of showed that he will try and keep the 180% house prices rise afloat. Otherwise the economy will falter. If he wants to help FTB's get on the property ladder then let the Housing market reset instead of stoking the fire with more debt. The miracle economy is nothing but smoke and mirrors. Again this comment will be deleted, If it is I'm going to write to watchdog and get them to investigate why this government holds utter contempt for this british people.

Unfortunately Adam, it's not just this government that holds the populace in contempt; it's been the same since 1979 in my recollection (too young to notice prior to that). Most politicians couldn't give a monkey's; 'I'm alright Jack' mentality. Still, I'll give Brown credit for a stable economy rather than the swinging ups and downs of the other crew. I lived through the days of 20% interest rates not daring to attempt a mortgage.

Yes, andrew, it'll just be disguised as green taxes, anything green, traffic/motoring, council tax, bin tax, you name it, they'll find another tax for it.

The change in the basic tax rate - abolition of the 10% rate - is an absolute disgrace, and the LP should hang its head in shame. Constant references to this change not affecting pensioners is a 'slight of hand'. For example, take someone who is forced to take early retirement on health grounds and receiving a pension, if they are under 65 years of age, their pension will be taxed at 20%. And they can't make up the difference with the working tax credit. So, in effect, the poorer off will continue to subsidise the better-off, particularly since some of that tax will contribute to MPs salaries and pensions. Vote Labour! Never again after 40 years of keeping the faith.

So we have a noirtgage with Northern Rock, over 60, do not have bad credit, never missed a payment, guarenteed income for life with pensions. Interest rates to high, now one lending. So what do we do now????

if i was prime minister i would consider that once your child is 12 years of age you should be able to look after yourself at homeits ok saying when your youngest child is 12 what happens when you only have one child and he or she is 12 they still aint legally allowed to stay at home on there own till 16 so why not change the age regualtions for staying home alone.cause childeren are not exactlly children then they are at high schoo at the age of 12 and should be able to look after themselfs to a certian extent. i also agree with lauren they have hands and fingers to lock doors and open doors but i still reckon 10 is a little to young i reckon 12 is a suitable age to be left alone at home

If I was prime minister, I'd only allow people to be on benefits for seven months, then they HAVE a to find a job, even if they don't particually want it. If your saying child care is an issue. once they are over 10 they are fine to be on their own for a bit before and after school, they have fingers, they can lock doors.

It's a good job you're not prime minister then, though I doubt you'd be any worse than Gordon Brown

Hi, if this is indeed the same John who has the kidney problems and so can't drink fluoride then I can see why. You said you wern't going to vote for mr Brown come the next election. What he is failing to realise here is that, getting rid of every critical comment doesnt change the fact that most of the UK isn't going to vote for him come the next election if he doesn't start to care about the people instead of money.

The Labour parties competence in the national economy is unsurpassed, tonight, the elderly will sleep in warmth, prices of alchol applies pressure on underage drinkers, inflation is extremely low. Please realise the difference between global economic failure and national, because nationally Labour has supplied Britain with a strong and sustainable economy.

No Brown borrowed money to keep the country's economy afloat. The elderly sleep in warmth "for now" thanks to a government that avoids the pension issue like the plague itself. I like how your comment basically says "please ignore how globally Britain is a complete failure but for now we arent doing so bad are we". You must be the most optamistic person ive ever heard. Too optamistic.

What is needed is root and branch reform of the entire tax & benefit system. A start would be treating the individual (rather tahn the household)as the basic unit for tax, tax credits and benefits.

What is needed is root and branch reform of more than just the Tax and Benefit Systems. For a start we need cost effective and efficient administration - for example an administration that doesn't lose information would be a good start in life. I agree that the individual should be the basic unit for tax, benefits etc - but the current over buraucratic administration staffed by nothing more than "muppets" and "puppets" needs rank and file change.

Typing error, I should have written: A start would be treating the individual (rather than the household)as the basic unit for tax, tax credits and benefits.