A GOVERNMEMT decision to cut the state childcare subsidy is forcing mothers to stay at home according to a local councillor.
Cllr Hitesh Patel (pictured right) said the Tax Credit rules were changed in April. He said previously low to middle income families could get 80 per cent of the costs of childcare up to £175 a week for one child and £300 a week for two or more. But in April, this was reduced to 70 per cent.
Now he said figures show that in Warrington there are 1,356 women claiming Jobseekers Allowance, a rise of 26 per cent compared to this time last year. But the number of men claiming has dropped by 0.5 per cent over the same period.
Cllr Patel, executive board member for personnel and communications, said: “The Tory-Lib Dem coalition is saying one thing but doing the opposite. They say they respect family life and encourage parents to work but then they go and slash Tax Credits support for childcare costs forcing many hard-working mothers to give up work.
“These figures don’t lie; this policy change is hitting women, especially single mothers, much harder than men otherwise why would there be such a disparity?”
Cllr Patel is urging people to contact the council’s benefits take up team or the CAB for advice on tax credits. Alternatively people can check their entitlement online by going to www.turn2us.org.uk
7 Comments
Two good points in this. It will allow children to have the loving care in their formative years and learn right from wrong that will benefit society when they grow up. Also, it may discourage single parenting which is not good for the child.
You are making the assumption that those parents having to stay at home are good parents, which isn’t always the case if they resent being at home. It also means that for single parent families, the parent who can’t afford to work becomes a poor role model for the children. I know from personal experience that single mothers (sometimes single through no fault of their own) want to work to support their children but the system now means that they can’t afford to work, pay for some childcare and pay their bills without some extra help.
Silver Surfer…you can be so arrogant at times it is unbelievable…Not all single parents are single through choice! Some are widows, some are victims of domestic violence, some have been abandoned by the father. It’s about CHOICE…. women should have the right to choose how best to raise their children. For many parents, having a few hours of childcare support allows them to maintain their work skills. I despair sometimes….next you’ll be saying bring back Thatcher!!!
Why should taxpayers be forced to pay for the child care of other people’s children anyway?
Wayne Whittle. If the cap fits wear it. Of course there are different reasons, but for many many years it has been a fact that “some” girls see pregnancy as a means to get council accommodation and the perks that go with it. WHY should this be right?
The benefits should go to those that need it by the situation forced upon them such as the ones you mention. My alleged arrogance is because I can quote cases where this happens. Society is a mess, STOP defending it and do something to improve the situation.
Why should taxpayers with good health pay for the NHS? Why should I pay for schools when I don’t have any kids?
Fair question. Why should you? Why can’t people just pay their own way?