How Northampton North would benefit under the Lib Dems

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 14th Apr 2010

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Northampton North, Andrew Simpson, has released figures of how local people have fared under Labour since 1997 and how they would benefit under his party's manifesto plans.

Labour's record in Northampton:

· 7 out of 9 secondary schools still failing to get 50% of pupils 5 good GCSEs

· 3700 people still waiting for a home despite 3000 properties lying empty

· 131st out of 151 in terms of health spending per head

How Northampton would benefit under the Liberal Democrats:

· An extra £23 million invested in local schools

· A £700 tax cut for average earners in Northampton North

· 22% of workers in Northampton North would pay 0% income tax

Speaking after Nick Clegg's manifesto launch, Andrew said:

"Northampton has been consistently overlooked by Labour.

"NHS spending per head here is among the lowest in the country, despite being the UK's third biggest town.

"Housing waiting lists are on the up, with the Council caught between the Conservatives' right-to-buy law and Labour's negative subsidy rules, which cost tenants nearly £9 million a year.

"And most of our children are still not getting five good GCSE's, including English and Maths, with only our single-sex schools faring better.

"Under our education plans, local schools would get a £23 million boost.

"Average earners would get a £700 tax cut, with over one in five people in work being lifted out of income tax.

"These are just a few of the positive changes Northampton would see under the Liberal Democrats.

"As polling day approaches, I will be doing everything I can to let people know they have a real chance to make local electoral history this time."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. Northampton North policy figures are available via the downloads section of Andrew's website: http://andrew-simpson.org.uk/resources/index/

2. Andrew needs a 6% swing from Labour to become the town's first Liberal MP since 1923.