THE Conservatives have denied they have plans to put up VAT if they win the general election.

Shadow foreign secretary William Hague called today for the Lib Dems to "pipe down" on the issue.

He said: "There are no plans in the Conservative party to raise VAT. We’re in the same position as the Lib Dems. Vince Cable said no chancellor rules out any tax increases, but we don’t have any plans to increase VAT. I think the Lib Dems can pipe down about this now."

Mr Hague was speaking during a tour of 11 Conservative target seats in Scotland. The Yorkshire MP and Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie were greeted by cheering supporters after arriving by helicopter at the Royal Highland Centre near Edinburgh Airport.

Mr Hague said the Conservatives were on the verge of a "breakthrough" as they bid to add to their single seat in Scotland.