Gov't’s tax plan is a deceptive three-card trick - PNP

The People’s National Party (PNP) says the finance minister’s tax plan is a deceptive three-card trick.

According to the PNP, the government’s plan is unfair and unjust.

Opposition Spokesman on Information, Julian Robinson, says the party believes that while the income tax threshold will benefit 251,000 persons, the government has in turn slapped $13.8 billion in new and increased taxes on the entire population.

Robinson contends that this means that 11 times as many persons will suffer, as will benefit, starting today when they begin to pay more taxes, especially with the gas tax.

He says the party believes the government's action is a panicky move in the hysteria to fulfill an election promise.

According to him, the party believes that the likely net effect of the government’s plan will be that there is no overall tax relief.

Robinson says the PNP it is particularly concerned about increases in gas prices for hundreds of thousands of motorists which it believes will lead to increases in bus fare and taxi fares, light bills and have an over all inflationary effect.