Shadow Chancellor pledges fairer tax

Taxpayers' money would not be used to bail out financial firms under a Conservative government, the Party has claimed.

At a conference in Birmingham on 28 September, the Shadow Chancellor, George Osborne, said that funds raised through taxes would not be used to cover the mistakes of City bankers.

The announcement came shortly after it emerged the government would be part-nationalising the beleaguered lender Bradford and Bingley.

Mr Osborne said: "We will do what it takes to preserve liquidity and protect the deposits of ordinary savers, but let me warn you today - I will not take money from the family earning £20,000 to carry on paying the bonuses of the banker earning £2 million."

The Conservatives are not the only party to promise better management of taxpayers' money, with the Liberal Democrats also suggesting tax breaks for those who live "greener lifestyles".

Small businesses have until 31 October to file their paper self-assessment tax return, or 31 January if they are choosing to file online this year.