6,200 In Neath Constituency Hit By Tax Credit Cuts
Local teachers, nurses and police constables are amongst 6,200 working people and their families hit by the Government’s tax credit cuts of up to £534 a year according to their MP Peter Hain.
Citing new House of Commons Library figures for the Neath parliamentary constituency, Mr Hain attacked the Government’s new Benefits legislation for the way it was hitting hard-working people.
‘The Government has dishonestly pretended it is just so-called “benefit scroungers” are who being hit when in fact it is what the Tory-Lib Dems call “strivers” – people who work hard and play by the rules who are being hit. There are 6,200 of these “strivers” in our towns and valley communities alone: individuals and families who rely on tax credits to live day-to-day, to buy necessities like food and to pay heating bills. Add this to the chaos that has been caused by changes and big cuts to disability benefits and housing benefit which are already affecting thousands more Neath residents and this makes for a disaster for people struggling to get through tough economic times.‘
‘Two thirds of all those hit by the benefit cuts are women, many pregnant or with children, half of whom are clinging onto jobs trying to cope with rising child care bills. Some will lose up to £1300 each. It is outrageous,’ he said.
Mr Hain added: “The Citizen’s Advice Bureau has already reported back a number of problems relating to benefit and tax credit reforms being rushed through, this government is simply not considering the consequences of its actions and the misery that is being caused.”