Chancellor rules out marriage tax breaks

George Osborne has infuriated Tory MPs by reportedly ruling out tax breaks for married couples in the Budget.

The Chancellor has been accused of “kow-towing” to the Liberal Democrats by refusing to include measures.

Recognising marriage in the tax system has long been a demand of Conservative traditionalists. The coalition agreement provides for proposals to be brought forward, although the junior party’s MPs are entitled to abstain in any vote on the issue.

Senior Treasury sources have reportedly said the idea will not feature in next month’s crucial financial package.

Tory MP Stewart Jackson, who stepped down from the government last year as a ministerial aide, said deferring the introduction of marriage tax allowances represented a “failure of leadership” by David Cameron. He added: “Not to introduce this feels like kow-towing to the Liberal Democrats.”