Karl Turner
Main Page: Karl Turner (Labour - Kingston upon Hull East)Department Debates - View all Karl Turner's debates with the HM Treasury
(14 years, 2 months ago)
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Justine Greening
Such areas would have faced a jobs tax with higher national insurance, higher corporation tax rates, lower economic confidence and, quite possibly, higher interest rates.
Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East) (Lab)
15. What representations he has received on the new arrangements for child benefit which will apply to one and two-parent families.
The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David Gauke)
The Chancellor has received a number of representations on the planned changes to child benefit. It is not the Government’s practice to provide details of all such representations.
Karl Turner
Does the Minister agree with my constituent Christopher Sumpton, who points out that it is grossly unfair for a single mother earning £44,000 a year and supporting three children to lose her child benefit, given that the next-door neighbours earning £80,000 will not? Will Treasury Benchers explain why the Government are attacking women in this savage way?
Mr Gauke
As I said earlier, we do not currently have the capability to examine the situation on a household basis, but we do need to make difficult decisions. If the Opposition want to oppose each and every cut, including in the child benefit that is given to some of the wealthiest in society, they can take that position, but we are prepared to take those tough decisions.