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| Version 11 | Version 12 |
|---|---|
| MP decides not to quit government | MP decides not to quit government |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A junior member of the government who was thought to have quit has now said she is not going to leave - following a conversation with Gordon Brown. | A junior member of the government who was thought to have quit has now said she is not going to leave - following a conversation with Gordon Brown. |
| The BBC learned that Treasury ministerial aide Angela Smith had told colleagues she was resigning over the abolition of the 10p income tax rate. | |
| But Ms Smith later said this was not the case, although she acknowledged she had "concerns" over the policy. | But Ms Smith later said this was not the case, although she acknowledged she had "concerns" over the policy. |
| The tax change has been criticised by dozens of Labour MPs. | The tax change has been criticised by dozens of Labour MPs. |
| Ms Smith, MP for Sheffield Hillsborough, is parliamentary private secretary to Chief Secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper. | Ms Smith, MP for Sheffield Hillsborough, is parliamentary private secretary to Chief Secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper. |
| Commons protests | Commons protests |
| She reportedly told Labour colleagues she was quitting the government over the recent abolition of the lowest rate of income tax, which critics say will unfairly hit low earners. | She reportedly told Labour colleagues she was quitting the government over the recent abolition of the lowest rate of income tax, which critics say will unfairly hit low earners. |
| What must hurt is that, while the cat's away, the mice have decided to play David ThompsonBBC political rorrespondent Is Brown struggling with discipline? | What must hurt is that, while the cat's away, the mice have decided to play David ThompsonBBC political rorrespondent Is Brown struggling with discipline? |
| Ms Smith said in a statement: "It has been reported by various sources that I am about to resign from my post as PPS to Yvette Cooper. | Ms Smith said in a statement: "It has been reported by various sources that I am about to resign from my post as PPS to Yvette Cooper. |
| "It is true I have concerns over tax changes and these have been discussed with senior government figures. | "It is true I have concerns over tax changes and these have been discussed with senior government figures. |
| "I am reassured that my concerns are understood and that the government remains committed to its anti-poverty agenda. Resignation of my post is therefore not envisaged." | "I am reassured that my concerns are understood and that the government remains committed to its anti-poverty agenda. Resignation of my post is therefore not envisaged." |
| A Downing Street spokesman said Ms Smith had telephoned the prime minister, who is visiting the United States, to inform him that she was not resigning. | A Downing Street spokesman said Ms Smith had telephoned the prime minister, who is visiting the United States, to inform him that she was not resigning. |
| 'Sticking to job' | 'Sticking to job' |
| The income tax decision was announced in last year's Budget, when Mr Brown was still chancellor, as was a reduction in the basic rate from 22% to 20% and increased tax credits. | The income tax decision was announced in last year's Budget, when Mr Brown was still chancellor, as was a reduction in the basic rate from 22% to 20% and increased tax credits. |
| Critics fear the axing of the 10p rate, which came into effect this month, will hit many people on incomes of less than £18,500. | Critics fear the axing of the 10p rate, which came into effect this month, will hit many people on incomes of less than £18,500. |
| Blair was like champagne and caviar. Brown is more like porridge or haggis Lord Desai, Labour | Blair was like champagne and caviar. Brown is more like porridge or haggis Lord Desai, Labour |
| Asked about criticism of the tax move during a press conference at the White House, Mr Brown said: "I'm sticking to the job and I'm getting on with the job." | Asked about criticism of the tax move during a press conference at the White House, Mr Brown said: "I'm sticking to the job and I'm getting on with the job." |
| More than 70 Labour MPs have signed at least one of three Commons motions criticising the reforms. | More than 70 Labour MPs have signed at least one of three Commons motions criticising the reforms. |
| The government says the abolition of the 10p rate was an integral part of last year's Budget, in which "millions of people" benefited from the decision to slash the basic rate of income tax. | The government says the abolition of the 10p rate was an integral part of last year's Budget, in which "millions of people" benefited from the decision to slash the basic rate of income tax. |
| The prime minister also came under fire earlier from Labour peer Lord Desai, who said: "Blair was like champagne and caviar. Brown is more like porridge or haggis. He is very solid, very nourishing, but not exciting." | The prime minister also came under fire earlier from Labour peer Lord Desai, who said: "Blair was like champagne and caviar. Brown is more like porridge or haggis. He is very solid, very nourishing, but not exciting." |
| On Wednesday, Chancellor Alistair Darling said the government needed to "sharpen up" its message to voters. | On Wednesday, Chancellor Alistair Darling said the government needed to "sharpen up" its message to voters. |