Tax Credits Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Tax Credits

Paul Farrelly Excerpts
Tuesday 20th October 2015

(9 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Ian Blackford Portrait Ian Blackford
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My hon. Friend is absolutely correct. We must ensure that we deal effectively with child poverty in this country, but these measures will constrain that effort.

Paul Farrelly Portrait Paul Farrelly (Newcastle-under-Lyme) (Lab)
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On Friday a lady called Edith came to my surgery to complain about her daughter’s situation. She is a nursery assistant earning £8 an hour. She works 30 hours a week and cannot work any longer because she has school-age children. Edith was mortified about the effect of the cut in working tax credits on her daughter and her family’s welfare. What does the hon. Gentleman think the Prime Minister should say to people like Edith up and down the land as to how they can trust his word in the future?

Ian Blackford Portrait Ian Blackford
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The sad reality is that I do not think the Prime Minister has anything to say to Edith in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency. That is why I am appealing to hon. Members on both sides of the House to reflect on the damage that these measures will do to Edith and others. We are having a good debate today.