PM sets out transport network plans (From Haringey Independent)

PM sets out transport network plans

5:40pm Monday 19th March 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

David Cameron has set out plans to boost Britain's airport capacity and attract private money into the roads, as he promised to take on "vested interests" to force through improvements to the transport network.

Speaking ahead of a Budget in which Chancellor George Osborne will have little spare cash for investment, the Prime Minister said he wanted to look "urgently" at private-sector options - which could involve tolls for new roads.

He revived speculation about a new "Boris island" airport in the Thames estuary, by saying that the Government's aviation review will look at the pros and cons of the idea, heavily promoted by London Mayor Boris Johnson.

Mr Cameron's comments came in a speech in London shortly after a meeting of the so-called Quad of senior Tory and Liberal Democrat ministers to put the final touches to Wednesday's Budget.

Reports suggested that the group - the Prime Minister and Chancellor, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander - may have approved a cut in the 50p income tax rate paid by those earning above £150,000, perhaps to 45p.

Lib Dem deputy leader Simon Hughes fuelled suggestions that the coalition's junior partners have accepted a reduction in the top rate, saying that the Lib Dems were not committed to "hanging on" to the 50p figure.

The Lib Dems' priority was "a Budget for the millions not the millionaires", which would ensure that those at the top of society made a greater contribution towards dealing with the deficit, he said.

Labour leader Ed Miliband accused the Government of being more interested in cutting taxes for the rich than helping "hard-pressed families".

Mr Miliband said: "We would be concentrating on jobs and growth and we would be using every penny of scarce resources in order to help millions of hard-pressed families who are struggling to make ends meet.

"My fear is the Government is more interested in cutting taxes for people earning more than £150,000 a year."