Ian Duncan Smith attempted to frame the cards as better value for taxpayers’ money, implying that poor people don’t pay taxes, (when the poorest actually pay proportionally more) ”
Progressive(PAYE)and regressive(VAT) taxes mean that the wealthiest only pay 24% tax proportionately while the poorest pay 38% tax, ultimately the poorest end up paying more. This, therefore, makes a total lie out of IDS implied criticism. The Community Tax is another example of regressive taxes whereby the wealthiest like Tony Blair and his 8 million pound mansion pays a fraction of the percentage other householders pay with cheaper properties.
Smart Cards entered our collective consciousness during autumn 2012, as Iain Duncan Smith declared his intention to discipline Britain’s “troubled” families. In unveiling his proposals at the Conservative Conference back in October 2012, Duncan Smith attempted to frame the cards as better value for taxpayers’ money, implying that poor people don’t pay taxes, (when the poorest actually pay proportionally more) and his rhetoric was extremely stigmatising.
He said: “I am looking […] at ways in which we could ensure that money we give [benefit claimants] to support their lives is not used to support a certain lifestyle.” [Boldings mine.]
Then MP Alex Shelbrooke presented his private member’s bill in December 2012, providing us with yet another shuddering glimpse into the underlying Tory moral outrage, prejudice and punitive attitudes towards people claiming benefits. He argued for a “welfare cash card” to limit spending to absolute basics. Isn’t…
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