Lib Dem conference: Clegg rules out cuts 'on backs of poor'

Nick Clegg has insisted the coalition will not make further spending cuts "on the backs of the poor".



The Liberal Democrat leader said he would not agree to more savings unless some form of "wealth tax" was agreed to by the Conservatives.

He told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show he would "not flinch" amid growing speculation about his future.

Mr Clegg also said there was "extraordinary resolution and unity" at the party's annual conference.

The Liberal Democrats are holding their annual conference in Brighton, with the leadership keen to promote a sense of discipline amid poor opinion poll ratings.

'Want to pay'

The theme of the event is "fairer tax in tough times". Mr Clegg is promising to ensure that the next government spending review will not include further spending cuts without a measure of wealth tax.

He said: "I think many people of considerable wealth in this country want to pay."

He added: "The vast majority of people in this country won't find it acceptable if further fiscal austerity was implemented on the backs of the poor...

"I'm not saying something as big as welfare is immune from further savings but I'm saying that the burden has to be spread fairly."

The Lib Dems already have a policy of imposing a 1% charge - a "mansion tax" - on expensive properties above a threshold of £2m and are investigating further proposals.

But the Conservatives oppose introducing a wealth tax, saying it would be unfair to impose it after a home or other large asset had been purchased.

That's a laugh. Clegg already agreed to massive cuts in housing benefit and pension credit for those on the lowest incomes which are still in the pipeline and have yet to come into effect. So even if he blocks any further cuts they will suffer disproportionately as result of the cuts he has already agreed to.