Low-income families in poverty

LOW-income families in Warrington are being plunged into poverty by the Coalition Government, according to MP Helen Jones.
Changes to the rules on Working Tax Credit for couples with children will see 460 families in Warrington lose their entire entitlement of around £4,000, she claimed.
The Warrington North MP (pictured) said: “A typical family with two children receiving Working Tax Credit are already on the threshold of poverty. This change by the Tory-led Government will plunge families into poverty and make not working at all a better option.
“It is very hard at the moment for anyone to find extra hours at work as the economy continues to flat-line. Punishing families already on low incomes is wrong and the Government should scrap the change.”
Under plans set to come into force next month couples with children earning less than around £17,700 will need to increase the number of hours they work from a minimum of 16 to 24 hours per week or they will lose all their working tax credit of £3,870 per year.
Ms Jones added: “It is madness that the Tory-led Government is introducing a measure that will make not going to work a better deal than going to work. The Government needs to scrap this change and introduce a real plan for jobs and growth to get the economy moving.”