Workers will be better off by up to €350 a year after USC cuts

The majority of workers will be better off by between €200 and €350 a year after Finance Minister Michael Noonan confirmed 0.5% cuts to the lowest three universal social charge rates, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith of the Irish Examiner.

The move was a central part of the Government's tax changes in budget 2017, which also include cuts to DIRT tax, increases in inheritance and capital gain tax thresholds, an "opt out" tax year for struggling farmers and new self-employed supports - and were announced as the Finance Minister said the lessons from the crash "must not be forgotten".