AN MEP has suggested that income tax be scrapped for those earning a minimum wage.

North-East UKIP Euro MP Jonathan Arnott made the comments following a visit to a food bank in Redcar which is associated with the Trussell Trust.

Food banks have become a familiar sight in many North-East towns and in April the trust, which operates nine across the region, said it had experienced a 463 per rise in demand in the past 12 months.

Mr Arnott, from Guisborough, east Cleveland, met food bank volunteers and praised their “incredible” work.

He said: “It was clear on my visit that a high proportion of those who are using a food bank are employed and earning a wage, and it seems scandalous to me that this figure is rising by the day.

“Many people fall victim to the overcomplicated welfare system which was created by the previous Labour government. The solution? "Simplify our tax and benefits system and increase the tax threshold so no one on the minimum wage pays a penny piece in income tax.”