The Irish Congress of Trade unions is criticising the decision to reduce the top rate of income tax in the Budget.

The Finance Minister Michael Noonan announced yesterday that the level is being cut from 41% to 40%.

ICTU says the move, along with increasing the standard rate band by €1,000 to €33,800, is highly regressive.

David Begg, the ICTU General Secretary, says its a retrograde step which means less tax to fund public services: