Oral Answers to Questions

Jonathan Reynolds Excerpts

Tuesday 6th March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op)]

4. What assessment he has made of the effect on the economy of changes to the working tax credit to be introduced in April 2012.

[Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge and Hyde) (Lab/Co-op)]

6. What assessment he has made of the effect on the economy of changes to the working tax credit to be introduced in April 2012.

--- Later in debate ---

[Miss Smith]

I cannot comment on that particular set of circumstances, as the hon. Lady will appreciate, but the fact is that about 80% of households with children will see their tax credit awards rise. It was the previous Government who allowed nine out of 10 households with children to be eligible for tax credits. That was unsustainable and uncontrolled spending.

[Jonathan Reynolds]

The Minister will remember that in an Adjournment debate last November I warned her about the devastating impact that the cuts would have, particularly because the hours were simply not available for people to increase the number they worked to meet the eligibility criteria. This week, a coalition of charities has written to the Government begging them to postpone these devastating changes. May I ask her and the Chancellor to meet some of the families affected so that they can understand what the impact will be on them from April?

[Miss Smith]

Any elected MP will regularly meet constituents in their constituency and discuss a range of matters. I certainly do that, and when I have met those affected in my constituency—whether as a constituency MP or, most recently, as a Minister—I have explained the fairness of this measure, which is that it puts couples on a par with lone parents. Where is the Opposition’s concern for single mums and dads, who have always had to face that challenge?