Moray SNP News

THOUSANDS OF MORAY FAMILIES TO LOSE OUT UNDER TAX CREDITS PLANS

‘4,800 CHILDREN IN 2,500 FAMILIES LIVING IN MORAY WILL BE AFFECTED BY TAX CREDITS CUTS’ SAY CHILDREN’S SOCIETY

Moray’s MP Angus Robertson has this week opposed UK Government cuts to tax credits which in their present form are set to hit thousands of Moray residents.

Local MP Mr Robertson, along with other SNP MPs, has vociferously opposed Tax Credit and welfare cuts, including raising the issues in Prime Minister’s Questions.

The Children’s Society, which campaigns on behalf of children and young people, has stated that 4,000 children in 2,400 households in Moray will lose out as a result of cuts to tax credits available to families in work.

The Children’s Society also revealed serious concerns related to the UK Government’s intention to re-define what constitutes ‘child poverty’. The Government’s proposals include measures to remove any reference to income from the Child Poverty Act 2010, which legally obliges UK Governments to act against child poverty.

Following on from the publication of the figures, Angus Robertson MP said:

“The Children’s Society figures illustrate the scale of the damage this measure will do - not only to my own constituents in Moray, but across the whole of the UK.

“Even the Tories’ Scottish leader disagrees with these cuts. The Scottish parliament is united in its opposition - and yet, we find ourselves, once again, at the mercy of a Government with no regard for the negative consequences of its attacks on the poor.

“The SNP has opposed these cuts and the pressure that has been applied ultimately led to Government defeat this week. While the Chancellor has said he will revise the proposals he is still hell-bent on cutting the cost of Tax Credits by billions of pounds and that can only mean hitting low paid families.

“As if that wasn’t bad enough, the UK Government plans to cover up these consequences, by re-defining what constitutes child poverty. It’s simply astonishing - but sadly, not surprising. I can give my constituents in Moray my assurance that SNP MPs will continue to oppose these cuts, which are doing huge damage and putting an incredible strain on charities and local services who are ultimately having to step in and pick up the pieces.”