I was deeply worried to learn this week of the full impact of the government’s proposed changes to the working tax credit system here in Wavertree.
270 Families, and 645 Children are set to lose almost £4000 per year when government changes to the Working Tax Credits Scheme come into force on April 6th, in a move that is bad news for local families, and bad news for the economy here in Wavertree
Couples in the constituency earning less than around £17,700 may lose £3,870 a year – unless they increase their hours to 24 per week – and I know from speaking to numerous local families that this is not an option for them.
Many have childcare or caring commitments that make it impossible for them to increase their hours, and figures also show that employers are actually offering fewer, as opposed to more hours to their staff – as a direct result of the lack of growth in the economy.
This week I met with Labour’s Shadow Treasury Secretary, Rachel Reeves MP to discuss how this will affect families locally and add my voice to Labour’s campaign to support working families. I have also written to Danny Alexander calling on him to urgently assess the impact of these changes here in Wavertree and develop proposals that will help rather than undermine the hundreds of local families in the area who want to be able to balance work and family life.
If you are concerned that these changes may affect you and your family, please let me know and I’ll be happy to help out. Of course all enquiries are completely confidential and we will do all we can to assist.
