Most people are used to waking up to a few surprises on April Fools Day – but a Kent MP is warning people to prepare for a more serious financial shock.

North Thanet MP Roger Gale said low-income workers can expect to be a hit by a time-bomb from the beginning of next month as changes to income tax bands take affect.

This year’s budget saw the middle band of income tax reduced to 20p in the pound, but the total removal of the 10p starting tax band.

Mr Gale, writing in this week's Herne Bay Gazette, said: “From All Fools’ Day a significant number of the least well-paid in my constituency will find themselves paying not less but more in tax.

“Low-paid NHS workers will pay more, part-time teaching assistants will pay more, our soldiers, sailors and airmen fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan will pay more.

“Others who have taken retirement on modest occupational pensions will pay more. “

Tory MP Mr Gale said the changes would result in more people becoming dependent on the state, with areas of deprivation in east Kent likely to be among the hardest hit.