Welfare Benefits Up-rating Bill

Debate between Stephen Timms and Neil Carmichael

Monday 21st January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con)]

I listened carefully to the right hon. Gentleman’s observation, but note that about 3,800 people in my constituency who are in work have been lifted out of tax altogether. Does he not believe that that is a step in the right direction?

[Stephen Timms]

Those people will lose council tax benefit, and if they are paying rent, they will lose housing benefit. Citizens Advice is right that the effect of the change in the threshold on people in low-income work is very low indeed.