Brown rejects super-tax band proposals

Allies of Gordon Brown have rejected claims that the Prime Minister is considering the introduction of a 50% tax bracket for those earning £100,000 or more.

There has been debate in Downing Street over the necessity of a 50% tax band but, while some ministers are advocating the bracket, the Prime Minister has almost certainly ruled it out.

It was hoped by some trade unions, MPs and Labour ministers that the tax band could be introduced in order to provide aid to lower income families who are struggling to make ends meet as a result of the credit crisis.

However, sources have told the Daily Mail that Chancellor Alistair Darling, while open to debate, is highly critical of the idea, and is unlikely to agree to any such tax bracket.

Currently, the tax bracket remains at 20% for low earners and 40% for high earners.

The move is the first of many difficult decisions the Chancellor is likely to have to make over the next six months, as he attempts to balance Mr Brown - who is in desperate need of some good news to present to the public - with the long term economic stability of the UK.