article: The Tories are set to steal Labour’s thunder by unveiling tax breaks for workers on the minimum wage. A text message intended for a senior aide to George Osborne – but accidentally sent to a newspaper – yesterday divulged plans for a ‘tax free minimum wage’. The details are unclear, but it is thought this would mean that those on the minimum wage would be exempt from paying any income tax – even if its level is raised in future. New plan: The details of George Osborne's leaked plans are unclear, but it is believed to mean that minimum wage earners wouldn' t be paying any income tax . The minimum wage currently stands at £6.50 an hour, rising to £6.70 in October. Labour’s Ed Miliband yesterday pledged that he would help low earners by raising the level above £8 an hour by October 2019. But the Conservatives look set to outflank both Labour and the Lib Dems on the issue of low pay with a firm commitment in their own manifesto, released today. David Cameron said in his speech to the Conservative party conference last year that he wanted to see the threshold for paying income tax – currently £10,600 – go up to £12,500 by April 2020. This will take an extra million people out of income tax altogether, while giving 30million workers a tax cut worth £500 a year. Critique: Danny Alexander said Osborne’s spending plans are 'becoming less and less credible' But if Mr Cameron goes further by also raising the minimum wage – and still keeping everyone on it out of tax – then that would represent a major giveaway. Tax cuts for the low paid are a priority for the Prime Minister after promising to raise the inheritance tax threshold and the 40p rate of tax for those on higher incomes. A text message from Downing Street intended for the Chancellor’s adviser, Neil O’ Brien, read: ‘Hi Neil, Have sent you the tax free min wage press notice draft. Rupert asks if you could print for George in no11?’ Rupert refers to Rupert Harrison, the Chancellor’s most senior economic adviser. The text message ended up being sent to a journalist at The Guardian. It is thought that it refers to a guarantee that, every time the minimum wage rises, its recipients would be protected from paying any income tax. Danny Alexander, the Liberal Democrat Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said it would be another unfunded spending commitment. He added:‘George Osborne’s spending plans are becoming less and less credible by the day, and it’s embarrassing. ‘They now expect the public to believe them when they make unfunded promises with one hand, whilst decimating family budgets and public services with the other.’ Harriet Harman, deputy leader of the Labour party, said: ‘The Tories are making panicky promises with absolutely no idea how they will pay for them.’ Mr Miliband yesterday brought forward by one year his pledge to increase the minimum wage to £8. He also promised to enforce it more effectively with higher fines for offending firms.
highlights: Osborne accidentally divulged plans for a ‘tax free minimum wage’
  Could mean minimum wage earners wouldn't be paying any income tax .
  Follows Ed Miliband's pledge to raise the minimum wage to £8 .
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