Tories demand married tax breaks

A former families minister has renewed Tory demands for David Cameron to introduce tax breaks for marriage.

Tim Loughton accused the Prime Minister of failing to follow through on his promise to bring in financial incentives.

"The Government had another opportunity to make good on its promise to recognise marriage in the tax system through last week's Autumn Statement but failed to do so. It is extremely disappointing," the East Worthing and Shoreham MP said.

"Before the election David Cameron said promoting strong family policy was in his DNA. Yet last year, the word family did not even feature in David Cameron's conference speech and now we have a single 'Families Minister' in name only.

"The Government urgently needs to get a coordinated family policy back on track and rediscover its DNA. We fail to do so at our peril, socially and economically."

Mr Loughton, who was sacked from government in September's reshuffle, is due to expand on his criticism at the launch of a report by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ).

The think-tank's study suggests married couples will be in a minority by 2050, if current trends continue.

Managing director Christian Guy said: "Two-and-a-half years into this Government, it is disappointing that we are still waiting for this policy to be delivered.

"There is a body of evidence that has shown that transferable tax would have a positive impact on the incomes of the poorest working households."