 |
LOCAL MP EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER DROP IN NUMBER OF FAMILIES CLAIMING CHILD TAX CREDIT
January 9, 2008 6:42 PM
Local MP Willie Rennie has expressed concern over a drop in the number of families claiming child tax credit in the UK.
Figures released just before Christmas reveal that, last year, 100,000 fewer families received child tax credit than in the previous year. The release of the figures coincided with the publication of a report by the influential Institute for Public Policy Research which showed that 1.4 million children in Britain live in poverty despite having at least one working parent.
Commenting on the figures, Dunfermline and West Fife MP Willie Rennie said:
"The drop in the number of families receiving child tax credit is deeply worrying. It is clear that families are being put off claiming Tax Credits, and the recent loss of personal data is likely to dissuade even more people from claiming credits and benefits to which they are entitled. Indeed families could be missing out on up to £6,000 a year."
The Liberal Democrats have announced the establishment of an independent Commission on Social Mobility. The Commission will be chaired by the Chief Executive of Barnado's, who is also the Chair of the End Child Poverty Coalition.
The Commission will investigate the reasons for Britain's low levels of social mobility and will recommend policy changes to enable children from disadvantaged backgrounds to fulfil their potential. Current evidence suggests that social mobility is currently lower in the UK than in most other developed countries.
Mr Rennie added:
"It is utterly unacceptable that, in this day and age, a child born into deprivation in the UK will have less opportunity to break out of the poverty cycle than at any time in our recent past. Children should be free to realise their aspirations and not be held back by the circumstances of their birth."
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats