A leading think-tank has expressed disappointment that the Chancellor George Osborne made no mention of a marriage tax break in his Autumn Statement yesterday.
The Conservatives pledged to introduce a transferrable tax break which could save married couples £150 a year when one spouse stays at home.
Christian Guy, the Managing Director of think-tank the Centre for Social Justice said, “it is disappointing that this pledge has still to be fulfilled as it is shown that it would have a positive impact on the incomes of the poorest working households”.
Incentives
He added that a marriage tax break would “also play a part in tackling the perverse incentives which currently persuade many people on low incomes to reject couple formation and the stability of marriage”.
Last week, former families minister Tim Loughton said the Autumn Statement was the Chancellor’s last opportunity to send out a positive message about marriage.
And MP David Burrowes also said the tax break would be an opportunity for the Government to show that they value marriage, and that it has manifold benefits for society.
David Cameron has in the past pledged to bring in the transferable tax allowance for married couples by 2015.