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Labour tax revolt gathering pace Labour tax revolt gathering pace
(10 minutes later)
Three more ministerial aides have reportedly joined protests at the abolition of the 10p tax rate.Three more ministerial aides have reportedly joined protests at the abolition of the 10p tax rate.
The three junior government members have called on Gordon Brown to help 5.3 million low-paid workers who have lost out, the Evening Standard reports.The three junior government members have called on Gordon Brown to help 5.3 million low-paid workers who have lost out, the Evening Standard reports.
On Thursday, the prime minister had to persuade ministerial aide Angela Smith not to quit over the issue.On Thursday, the prime minister had to persuade ministerial aide Angela Smith not to quit over the issue.
Mr Brown is said to be furious the tax row has overshadowed his trip to the US which comes to an end later.Mr Brown is said to be furious the tax row has overshadowed his trip to the US which comes to an end later.
He is understood to believe it has been exaggerated by the media and has urged Labour MPs to look at the government's overall tax changes which he says have helped low-paid families.He is understood to believe it has been exaggerated by the media and has urged Labour MPs to look at the government's overall tax changes which he says have helped low-paid families.
According to the Evening Standard, the three Parliamentary Private Secretaries to have called for a U-turn on the 10p band are David Anderson, Jeff Ennis and Celia Barlow.According to the Evening Standard, the three Parliamentary Private Secretaries to have called for a U-turn on the 10p band are David Anderson, Jeff Ennis and Celia Barlow.
'Poor people''Poor people'
Mr Ennis, aide to Cabinet Office minister Ed Miliband, told the newspaper: "The die is cast on the 10p rate but we have to listen to what people tell us and in future redress the balance."Mr Ennis, aide to Cabinet Office minister Ed Miliband, told the newspaper: "The die is cast on the 10p rate but we have to listen to what people tell us and in future redress the balance."
It's rather extraordinary, he seems to have very little authority now David Cameron on Gordon Brown MP decides not to quit governmentAnalysis: Discipline problem?It's rather extraordinary, he seems to have very little authority now David Cameron on Gordon Brown MP decides not to quit governmentAnalysis: Discipline problem?
Mr Anderson, aide to higher education minister Bill Rammell, said: "We should not be making poor people poorer and at the same time giving people extra money through inheritance tax."Mr Anderson, aide to higher education minister Bill Rammell, said: "We should not be making poor people poorer and at the same time giving people extra money through inheritance tax."
But he said he would not threatening to resign over the issue. But he said he would not be threatening to resign over the issue.
Celia Barlow, aide to science minister Ian Pearson, has written to Chancellor Alistair Darling expressing her concern, the newspaper says.Celia Barlow, aide to science minister Ian Pearson, has written to Chancellor Alistair Darling expressing her concern, the newspaper says.
The three ministerial aides are joining a growing number of backbenchers expressing their anger at the changes, which came into effect last week. The three ministerial aides have joined a growing number of Labour backbenchers in expressing their anger at the changes, which come into effect this month.
Sheffield Attercliffe MP Clive Betts has written to Mr Brown urging him to reverse the changes - something consistently ruled out by Mr Brown, who is said to be furious about media coverage of the row. Sheffield Attercliffe MP Clive Betts has written to Mr Brown urging him to reverse the changes - something consistently ruled out by Mr Brown.
Mr Betts told BBC News 24: "While we have protected pensioners and working families with children unfortunately there are people on low incomes who haven't got children who are worse off and are paying more tax.Mr Betts told BBC News 24: "While we have protected pensioners and working families with children unfortunately there are people on low incomes who haven't got children who are worse off and are paying more tax.
"And that's something that we really feel unhappy about and we'd like the government to recognise that they have got that element wrong and take steps to put it right as quickly as possible.""And that's something that we really feel unhappy about and we'd like the government to recognise that they have got that element wrong and take steps to put it right as quickly as possible."
'Not much doubt''Not much doubt'
MPs will have a chance to voice their concerns on Monday when they debate the second reading of the Finance Bill.MPs will have a chance to voice their concerns on Monday when they debate the second reading of the Finance Bill.
But they will not get a chance to vote on the 10p tax issue until a week later, when ex-minister Frank Field plans to table an amendment calling for compensation for those affected, at the bill's committee stage.But they will not get a chance to vote on the 10p tax issue until a week later, when ex-minister Frank Field plans to table an amendment calling for compensation for those affected, at the bill's committee stage.
Mr Field said he hoped the government would make the changes itself, rather than being forced to do so.Mr Field said he hoped the government would make the changes itself, rather than being forced to do so.
Ms Smith said she had 'concerns' but would not resignMs Smith said she had 'concerns' but would not resign
"We have never had a measure where we are being asked to vote for a package which makes five million of the poorest people worse off," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."We have never had a measure where we are being asked to vote for a package which makes five million of the poorest people worse off," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"This is quite clear cut and I don't think there is much doubt among Labour members that they didn't come to Parliament to do this.""This is quite clear cut and I don't think there is much doubt among Labour members that they didn't come to Parliament to do this."
On Thursday, Mr Brown called Angela Smith from the White House, after reports suggested she was considering resigning from the government over the abolition of the 10p tax rate.On Thursday, Mr Brown called Angela Smith from the White House, after reports suggested she was considering resigning from the government over the abolition of the 10p tax rate.
Needy 'betrayed'Needy 'betrayed'
Ms Smith, PPS to Chief Secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper, said in a statement she had had "concerns" but had been reassured they were understood and "the government remains committed to its anti-poverty agenda".Ms Smith, PPS to Chief Secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper, said in a statement she had had "concerns" but had been reassured they were understood and "the government remains committed to its anti-poverty agenda".
The row has been seized by the opposition as a sign that Mr Brown is losing control of his own party.The row has been seized by the opposition as a sign that Mr Brown is losing control of his own party.
Conservative leader David Cameron told Sky News: "It's rather extraordinary, he seems to have very little authority now, he's being held to ransom by members of his own front bench, threatening to resign and then he's having to break off from trips to the US to dissuade them. It all just looks weak and drifting."Conservative leader David Cameron told Sky News: "It's rather extraordinary, he seems to have very little authority now, he's being held to ransom by members of his own front bench, threatening to resign and then he's having to break off from trips to the US to dissuade them. It all just looks weak and drifting."
And Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: "Gordon Brown's government is starting to unravel before our eyes as Labour MPs see the full extent of the prime minister's betrayal of the most needy in our society."And Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: "Gordon Brown's government is starting to unravel before our eyes as Labour MPs see the full extent of the prime minister's betrayal of the most needy in our society."
Mr Brown decided, while still chancellor, to abolish the lowest, 10p rate of income tax and to reduce the basic rate from 22% to 20%.Mr Brown decided, while still chancellor, to abolish the lowest, 10p rate of income tax and to reduce the basic rate from 22% to 20%.
Former Home Secretary David Blunkett spoke out against it earlier this week, urging Mr Brown to do more to help those most affected by it.Former Home Secretary David Blunkett spoke out against it earlier this week, urging Mr Brown to do more to help those most affected by it.
Mr Brown defended the move at a press conference with President Bush on Thursday, saying: "I am satisfied that once people understand the scale of the good things that we have been able to do in reforming the tax system, that we are tackling poverty by increasing tax credits for the poorest, then whatever questions people have about these changes can be answered."Mr Brown defended the move at a press conference with President Bush on Thursday, saying: "I am satisfied that once people understand the scale of the good things that we have been able to do in reforming the tax system, that we are tackling poverty by increasing tax credits for the poorest, then whatever questions people have about these changes can be answered."