1800 NORTH-EAST FAMILIES SET FOR TAX CREDIT HIT

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford has commented on figures published by the think tank, Resolution Foundation, which show that more than 1800 working families across Aberdeenshire, Banffshire and Moray are set to lose over £380 a year in support for childcare costs from April next year.

The Tax Credits hit is due to the Tory/LibDem UK Government’s changes to the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit. The report has also suggested that some families could lose as much as £1,300 a year.

Commenting on the news, Dr Whiteford said:

"This report makes grim reading at a time when the North-east economy is being battered by defence cuts and households are being hit hard by soaring fuel, electricity and heating costs.

"The findings of this research that around 1880 families in the North-east could lose over £380 is a wake up call on the agenda of the Tories in Westminster. Without moving the full responsibility for our social and economic wellbeing to the Scottish Parliament from Tory dominated Westminster we will all be fighting poverty with one hand tied behind our backs.

"Improvements in childcare, preventing people being caught in a poverty trap, regulation of credit and measures to ensure everyone has access to a decent pension are all policies the SNP would like to see implemented.

"However without the powers to introduce them or to generate and access the wealth we need to pay for anti-poverty measures Scotland is stuck with the prospect of Tory cuts to services that affect the most vulnerable."