New 50 pct income tax above 150,000

LONDON (Reuters) - Chancellor Alistair Darling introduced a new top rate of income tax in his budget on Wednesday, saying those earning more than 150,000 pounds a year will pay 50 percent tax from next April.

"In November, I announced a new rate of income tax of 45 per cent on incomes above 150,000 -- the top one percent of taxpayers," Darling said..

"In order to help pay for additional support for people now, I have decided that the new rate will be 50 percent, and will come in from next April -- a year earlier."

(Editing by Mike Peacock)