GEORGE Osborne has signalled that the UK Government will announce measures to support marriage through the tax system within months.
The Chancellor refused to say whether or not the tax break would come in for the 2014/15 financial year, saying people should "wait for the Autumn Statement", due in November or December.
It is possible Mr Osborne will announce that the tax break could come in for the 2015/16 financial year, which begins a month before the next General Election, raising the prospect of a pre-election giveaway to entice couples in Middle Britain to vote Conservative.
The Tories promised at the time of the 2010 election a transferable tax allowance worth around £150 to married couples. It follows pressure from David Cameron's MPs to fulfil the promise.
Speculation has been rife that he was being held back not only by opposition from Liberal Democrat Coalition partners – who secured a provision in the Coalition Agreement allowing them to abstain on the issue – but also by a lack of enthusiasm from the Chancellor.
At Westminster yesterday, the Chancellor insisted he was personally committed to the tax break.
"I have always been committed to introducing a married couples' tax break," declared Mr Osborne.
He said: "I am absolutely committed to introducing it, the Government is committed to introducing it and you can expect to see it in the Autumn Statement."
While the Tories have been keen to push the promise of a married tax break, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg ridiculed the proposal as "patronising drivel that belongs in the Edwardian age".
Last night, Cathy Jamieson, the Shadow Treasury Minister, said: "At a time when George Osborne's failed economic policies mean living standards are falling, this Government should be helping all families and not just some.
"Millions of people who are separated, widowed or divorced, as well as married couples where both partners work and use all their personal allowance, won't get any help from this out-of-touch policy."
The Kilmarnock MP said that even for the minority who might benefit, it would be far outweighed by what the Chancellor had already taken away in tax rises and spending cuts.
"While millionaires have got a tax cut, the Institute for Fiscal Studies says the average family is worse off by £891 this year because of things like higher VAT and cuts to tax credits.
"Once again, George Osborne is more interested in pandering to his backbenchers than tackling the cost of living crisis facing millions of families," she added.
The Chancellor claimed the Coalition was on top politically and Labour was crumbling, saying: "Successful oppositions move to the centre ground but successful governments move the centre ground."
Earlier appearing before the Commons Treasury Committee, he insisted the Coalition's economic plans could be achieved without further tax rises following the General Election while he said he suspected Labour of planning "big tax increases" if they regained power in the 2015 poll.
l The Treasury will no longer provide the media with a pre-briefing of core Budget details after the London Evening Standard accidentally tweeted a picture of its front page too early this year.
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