Brown Has Failed On Fairer Tax System

2.36.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 15th Jun 2004

Commenting on Gordon Brown's performance as Chancellor, Vince Cable MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, said: "The Chancellor has failed to make the tax system fairer, and failed to tackle the risks posed by the house price boom.

"Gordon Brown's greatest single achievement has been copying a policy by the Liberal Democrats - independence for the Bank of England.

"Under Gordon Brown taxes have become even less fair, with council tax rocketing. The Chancellor has failed to even admit that council tax is unfair, let alone propose a fair replacement for it.

"Gordon Brown has failed to tackle the house price bubble, or even take responsibility for it.

"Under Gordon Brown large numbers of people are gambling on the house price boom - but he seems unconcerned by the potential risks to peoples' jobs and houses."