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ECONOMY REPORT

Tax cuts to help hard working people this winter

Dear Constituent, My undivided attention over the year ahead is the economy, and what I can do to support you through the economic downturn. I’ve put together this Economy Report to let you know what the Government is doing to help and support you. There’s a survey on the back page, so let me know what you think. Best wishes

• New measures to maintain a stable economy are announced

• Full details of how the Pre-Budget Report will help you • Results from Paul’s online economy survey • Your economy questions answered by Paul • Useful contact numbers for you to keep • Your chance to let Paul know what you think

These are exceptional times and they require exceptional measures. What families and businesses need is real help now. The Government is taking actionactionactionaction to help families and businesses through the tough times caused by the global credit crunch

1. by helping people, and putting

money into the economy now so we come out of this sooner and stronger and;

2. once the economy is growing

again, tackling the public finance problems caused by the credit crunch, in a way that is fair to all.

We are acting now and not turning our backs on families and businesses at

the time they need it most.

CONTACT ME

Call the office on 01634 574261 Email me at clarkp@parliament.uk Write to me at 62a Watling Street, Gillingham, ME7 2YN Or visit my website for more information at

paulclarkmp.com available all the time

CITIZENS ADVICE

01634 888182

What does the Pre-Budget Report mean for me?

• Some of the key facts from the Pre-Budget Report

To help reduce pressures on motorists during the current To help reduce pressures on motorists during the current To help reduce pressures on motorists during the current To help reduce pressures on motorists during the current economic downturn, the introduction of vehicle excise dutyeconomic downturn, the introduction of vehicle excise dutyeconomic downturn, the introduction of vehicle excise dutyeconomic downturn, the introduction of vehicle excise duty (VED)(VED)(VED)(VED) will be delayed: will be delayed: will be delayed: will be delayed:

In 2009, no car will pay more than £5 extra In 2010, no car will pay more than £30 extra Many people will see a £30 cut in VED

DEBTLINE

MEDWAY COUNCIL

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USEFUL CONTACTS

Here’s a list of useful contacts for you to keep. If you want to contact me, I look forward to hearing from you!

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A one year cut in VAT of 2.5% – putting £12.4bn into

the economy

Giving every basic rate taxpayer £145 extra, up from £120 this year

Giving every pensioner an extra £60 in January 2009 to help with the daily cost of living

Increasing child benefit to £20 a week in January 2009 instead of April 2009

Providing more loans and deferred tax payments for small businesses

6 £1.3 billion extra help for job centres to get people

back into work

7 A 3 month suspension on repossessions for

homeowners who get into arrears

8 Bringing forward £2.5 billion of capital projects,

including school extensions and GP refurbishments

9 More money for housing refurbishments and transport

improvements

0808 808 4000

01634 333333

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PAUL ONLINE

I have my own website paulclarkmp.com where you can:

• Get updates on

my work

• Watch my MPTV videos

• Take part in

regular surveys

• Email me

• And much more

So log on today, see how I work for you, then let me

know what you

think!

Your Economy: Q&A • My responses to your questions on the economy

“ ”

Margaret said: “I’m a single mother of two young kids. Over the past year I’ve been struggling to cope as it is. All I hear on the news is ‘things are going to get worse before they get better’. How is the Government supporting me through the credit crunch?

My reply: Dear Margaret, first of all you are not on your own, and the Government knows that. That’s why we are cutting VAT from 17.5% to 15%, a really radical move that is going to make a big difference to your budget. I’ve written to our local businesses to make sure they pass on these VAT cuts to you and don’t try to raise prices.

My Economy Survey You gave me your views on the economic situation and the results are in

A few months ago I asked people from across Gillingham and Rainham to take part in an internet survey about the economy. The results are in and here are some of the headlines:

Full results are available on my website, paulclarkmp.com

• 70% of people questioned were ‘very concerned’ about the economy

• 41% of people felt they had ‘lost confidence’ in Britain’s banks

• 57% of people said they supported the Government stepping in to protect savers

• 15% of people thought the banks should be left to resolve the crisis on their own

“ ”

Andrew said: I drive to work every day and the cost of this takes a significant bite out of my monthly salary. What are you doing to help? Also, I read that the Government is going to tax the highest earners but what difference is this going to make to me?

My reply: Dear Andrew, thanks for your question. Firstly on the cost of motoring, the Government is delaying any increases in vehicle excise duty. On your second point, the Government will give all low and middle income earners a £145 tax cut. This is to help you and your family through these difficult times and make life a little easier.

Questions? Concerns? Comments?

Email Paul at clarkp@parliament.uk if you have any questions about any issue in Gillingham, Rainham, or Westminster. @