National lets you keep more of what you earn

Misleading
Various National Party Coms
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National's claim that tax adjustments let people "keep more of what you earn" is only partially true and highly dependent on individual circumstances.

During their term, National has;

  • reintroduced prescription fees
  • removed public transport subsidies
  • removed first home grants
  • increased vehicle registration/RUC and driver's licence costs
  • and forced water infrastructure back onto council books

All of these contribute to higher rates rises nationwide.

National also;

  • re-indexed benefits, student loans and allowances to the Consumers Price Index(CPI)
  • cut back the school lunch programme (pushing families to cover more food costs for kids themselves)
  • presided over rents that kept rising despite a promise of downward pressure
  • repealed Fair Pay Agreements (limiting bargaining power and wage growth)
  • delivered the lowest minimum wage increases on record
  • raised border and postal levies
  • and introduced new toll roads that add to many commuters' costs.