Tax burden '50% up since Labour'

The government's tax revenue has risen by almost 50% since Labour came into power, it has been claimed.

Statistics published this morning (19 September) by the TaxPayers' Alliance - a right wing pressure group - reveal that the tax burden has gone from £293.8 billion in 1997 to £517.1 billion this year.

The group also attacked the government for complicating tax payments and running up massive debts.

Chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, Matthew Elliott, said: "Ordinary taxpayers have seen their bills rise and rise, but our services have not improved in return."

"With the credit crunch tightening its grip, it's clear that the country is poorly prepared for tough economic conditions".

Mr Elliott added that the blame for this lay squarely at the feet of the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.

Despite the doubling of the tax bill in fiscal terms, in real terms the increase is of a much more modest 2%, as statistics show the tax revenue's share in the economy is still around the 40% mark.