Spelling it out to Brown

Gordon Brown claims he is baffled by the suggestion that his decision to double (not abolish) the 10p starting rate of tax hurts anyone. We all have it confused somehow, he says. So this comment on The Times website may be worth repeating:

“Mr. Brown. LET ME SPELL IT OUT TO YOU. I do not pay tax at 22% so the cut to 20% does not help me.  I cannot claim pension credit (which is not taxed) because my private pension puts me £2 over the cut off. (Private pension is taxed.)  State Pension £5148. Private Pension £1622. Personal Tax Allowance £5,435 Taxable income £1,335. Tax 07/08 £135 Tax 08/09 £270.  I can do the maths. Why can’t you?  – Barbara, north east”