SDLP Hits Out At Chancellor Over Cut In Working Tax Credits

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has been slammed for targeting lone parents after he announced a cut in Working Tax Credits.

SDLP Enterprise spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA said George Osborne issued a "Budget against working people".

He said: "For lone parents, tax credits have been crucial in supporting them to work and helping them to look after their children. Indeed, they play a big part in the increased employment rate among lone parents.

"Before today, a single parent who worked full time on the minimum wage was eligible for Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, help with the cost of childcare, Housing Benefit and Child Benefit. But, even after all these top-ups, their income still fell £38 per week short of what the public thought they needed.

"Removing and freezing the in-work benefits and childcare support, without first ensuring a corresponding increase in wages, will simply result in those families falling even further short of a decent living standard. The Chancellor must face the reality that his Budget will make it hard if not impossible for the most vulnerable parents to continue to work."

(CD/JP)