In the last couple of days the Labour Party briefly paid for a misleading advert on the popular MumsNet site about our plans for tax credits. I think it’s important that people know the truth.
They say our policy will take away tax credits from families with incomes of £31,000 or more. That is a lie, and it is irresponsible for Labour to be scaremongering in this way and worrying families needlessly.
So I want to be very clear. We think that tax credits provide a vital boost for families across the country. We support tax credits and we will keep them.
But Labour’s irresponsibility now means that we have to look again at what we can afford as a country. All the main parties agree that public spending will have to be cut in future years. That means making tough choices.
Our priority is to find a way to get spending under control that is fair and protects the poorest. Tax credits are designed to help families on low incomes, but we are now paying them to families earning over £50,000. We don’t think that is affordable anymore, so we have said that under a Conservative Government these families would stop receiving tax credits. No families with a combined household income of £40,000 or less will be affected by our policy.
We are all in this together – we need to pay off our debts so our children don’t have to. We are being honest about the challenges we face and how we will deal with them. It’s time Labour did the same.
Comment by Lisa Hunter on February 11, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Child maintenance also assists with a vital boost into the single parent environment, unfortunately not one party wants to address this WHY?
My ex husband owes £40,420.10 and this grows at £100.37p/w, he pays his maintenance in the form of arrears and this will take 60 years to clear…YES 60 YEARS! my children will be nearly 70
When will ALL the political parties realise that there is no civil enforcement powers in place to make an absent parent actually pay maintenance only arrears, and lack luster approach in clearing maintenance when it comes to the self employed.
You probably don’t even read these blogs, it’s like hitting my head against a brick wall of which i have done for 13 years.
Want my VOTE there are alot of single working parents in the same boat owed millions of £’s, and single parents claiming benefit because a father or mother has deserted them and not paying, recoup back the tax payers money, this should be being done anyway and it isn’t. Get the maintenance in place and then signle parents with children CAN RETURN to work!
Comment by Karen Bedford on February 11, 2010 at 3:00 pm
Be nice when its mentioned about the CSA and wot is going to be done about this as you keep making threatening promises that seem to have to nothing, prove me wrong please.
Comment by Annabel Tall on February 11, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Is it just me, or is the tone of these blogs getting increasingly cringy? The language comes across as though they’ve been written by the infant school council giving suggestions on how to sort out a playground spat. Given the seriousness of the country’s situation it seems somewhat inappropriate. I’m worried that this style is just going to put people off the Conservative party, particularly educated professionals in their 30’s and 40’s.
If these really have been written by Theresa May, Mr Cameron et al then I’ll just quietly go away (an inglorious end to my not yet started political life!) but think I’ve worked in the media for long enough to recognise the hand of the over enthusiastic PR agency. It would be far more interesting and authentic if the contributers wrote these blogs themselves.
Comment by graham chesterton on February 11, 2010 at 5:07 pm
I am at my wits end with the CSA, currently I am making payments to them and have done so since my son was born and me and his mother split up. In the years of dealing with the CSA I have found that nothing they tell you is correct, one minute they say you owe a certain amount then the following month this completley changes, and increases. Furthermore I am not a father who has nothing to do with his child and make every effort to see him. However his mother stops me from having too much contact because this will affect her claim ! It seems to me that the current government punishes people who work hard for a living and are honest. (I know several Fathers who pay nothing to the government and laugh at me because I admitted to being the father of my son.) Will this trend of being rewarded for being lazy, deceitful and dishonest continue under a conservative government or will measures be taken to ensure that i dont work to let others sit around doing nothing all day?
Comment by A turkey thinking of voting for Christmas on February 11, 2010 at 8:05 pm
The replacement of Family Credit administered by the then DSS or DHSS by WFTC administered by the Inland Revenue was a disaster.
The former was a relatively simple Benefit administered by a Department used to dealing with clients whose income was near the breadline and subject to change at short notice as they moved from benefit to low-wage inscecure job to benefit to low-wage insecure job, … .
The latter is complex to administer and was given to a Department used to dealing with self-employed people who in the main were more affluent and who could afford to cope with short-term fluctuations in their income.
Why on earth does the Conservative Party not formulate a policy to achieve the same increase in total household income by raising the tax threshold to an appropriate higher level?
Could it be be because they are frightened of losing the votes of Civil Servants now brainwashed by 12 years of Institutional Marxism?
Word verification code complete with Party political message:
“Government’s untruer”
Comment by Louise Jolson on February 11, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Referring to AmandaTall’s comment, I must say I’m not too fussed whether or not these blogs are actually penned by the said MP, I was just very pleased to learn that low income families and single mums like me won’t have their tax credit meddled with by a new conservative government.
So long as the blog is accurate and has been endorsed by the appropriate MP, I don’t really care if it was written by a researcher.
Comment by Rose on February 12, 2010 at 10:34 am
. What i find shameful is the government using yet more dirty tricks to undermine other parties and there polices. About time Mr brown went !
Comment by Karen Bedford on February 12, 2010 at 1:47 pm
I would vote for Mickey Mouse if he would sort out the mess of the CSA!
Comment by chall – afairercsaforall on February 12, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Perhaps a party would like to take up the plight of all those who are failed by the CSA/CMEC (Im sure there would be a few votes gained) – Come and see the reality, join us in the forum at http://www.afairercsaforall.co.uk.
We are a FOC Internet based advice and support group – Run by parents, for parents.
Comment by Gary Curtis on February 12, 2010 at 9:44 pm
Lies.Thats rich comming from an unelected leader with an unpopular bench. Where i come from labour are trying there best to get rid of all jobs it seems to me, so we don’t have to worry about a top level of income here. Helphire hundreds…Cadburys somedale…hundreds! Thats just in the last few weeks. Oh and by the way. (Big) Dan Norris said he cant do anything but he’s sympathetic. What’s the point on representing constituants if you are powerless! And the next job cuts are? We need to cut back on spending, granted. And the proposals you suggest are well thought out. Although this may cause some constination to some.
Comment by Ali M-W on February 13, 2010 at 7:51 am
The biggest government lie about tax credits was claiming it was “money with your name on it”. In fact, for up to a third of all honest claimants, this was a loan: HMRC messed up, overpaid and are now systematically persecuting victims with Brown turning his head.
AN UNFAIR BRITAIN states “Chronic administrative errors also mean that Labour is forcing over 1.5 million people to repay tax credits as a result of overpayment. At a time when family budgets are being squeezed, it is deeply unfair that avoidable administrative errors are causing severe hardship to some of the poorest families.”
Visit http://www.taxcc.org and see why we need an Amnesty now. £18 billion goes unclaimed in tax credits and benefits, and a fraction of this would end the misery of the innocently indebted.
Many will vote Conservative if Cameron pledges justice for tax credit casualties.
Comment by Christine on February 27, 2010 at 11:40 pm
I’m a bit confused why people are talking about Child maintenance on this blog when it is clearly about tax credits.
My partner has been self-employed for a few years but his business has been failing due to his health. Tax credits have meant that we are able to keep our heads above water & we could not survive without them. Because of this I am hoping to go self-employed soon but I would not be able to do this without the support of tax credits.
However, there are a couple of flaws that have been highlighted this winter. Our money is tight and unlike those on Jobseekers Allowance & Income Support we are not entitled to extra help with heating bills when the weather is severe. This is despite the fact we receive a high disability living allowance care rate for our autistic son and I am in receipt of carers allowance. Also we do not receive free school meals.
This isn’t sour grapes… I was a well paid teacher who gave up my job to care for my son as I believe that is my job. However, as I am prepared to stay at home and try to start up a venture of my own, every penny counts. As a teacher I would have given up my Tax credits. I didn’t need them then. I was only on £36,000 every year – not a fortune – but it is liveable. The £19,000 now is barely manageable and I have to decide between eating or topping up the electricity token. No parent should have to make that choice, let alone a parent of a disabled child. I would be interested to know what the Conservative party attitude is towards carers like myself who rely on Tax credits and benefits to simply exist.
Comment by Valerie Cameron on March 5, 2010 at 11:43 am
I would like to know what the policy will be for grandparents caring, in the same role as a childminders, ( 1-3 days a week on a permanent basis) regarding tax credits.?
Ed Balls recent statment recognised the role Grandparents play, but was vague.I have spoken to the Childminding Ass, Ofsted and Family Tax Credits and all confirm that as a childminder caring for non family members the parents are able to claim their tax credits and thus pay me, however ,the same arrangement for grandchildren does not apply. Why not? What is the conversative policy regarding this impoortant issue? Child care can be a nightmare, over – stretched parents, all trying to make end’s meet and do the best for their children; the over 60′s having to carry on working to retain a decent quality of life, yet the most obvious solution for all, whilst acknowledging the strength and importance of the family, is denied.No tax credits available to the parents, no payment to the grandparent carer.
Comment by Sarah on April 6, 2010 at 10:49 am
The blog says people with a joint income of £50,000 or more will no longer receive tax credits. It says people who have a joint income of £40,000 or less will be unaffected, what happens to people in the bracket of £40,000 up to £50,000. This is something I am interested in as this will affect my family income and could determine my vote, I would appreciate it if someone could answer my question .
Comment by Paul Whittle on April 12, 2010 at 9:41 pm
I have previously been a labour voter, but this time round i am undecided i personally feel that as an englishman i have been let down by the government time and time again and i do beleive that it is time for change, but what change do you have for families,tax credts and surely something has to be done about the number of non english people in our country now i am not raciest in ant way but i dont understand why more and more people have been allowed into our country when their isnt enough jobs for many of the un-employed yet add more people i just dont understand the logic in it what so-ever.
I also beleive something needs to be done in terms of businesses being sold to foreign countries as we as a country are losing our heiratage.
Comment by racheal porch on April 13, 2010 at 1:11 pm
my husband and i both work, in our 30′s and both worked since leaving school.we have 4 children our combined income is less than 30’000 as i’m only part time since having our children. we are concerned about tax credits stopping as we really rely on it, our morgage was even approved on the fact we get tax credits,we normaly vote for conservatives but we need to know if they are going to keep tax credits for low earners like our selfs before we vote. i’m sure we are not the only people in our shoes. to save money they need to sort out all the people sitting on there bums on benifits better off than us
Comment by Kelly on April 14, 2010 at 7:45 pm
I would like to know whether child tax credits will be available to those with a joint income between £40k & £50k. We have 5 month old twins and I am really worried about our finances and the help that we would actually get. At present we are only entitled to Child Benefit of around £132 per month and Child tax credits of around £80 per month. This sounds quite fair but when we were going though 90 nappies in one week the money did not go far.
We were not entitled to the sure start grant because we work, we are not entitled to milk tokens because we work! The list could go on and on, it just seems like we are not entitled to anything because we work, so what encouragement does that give people to return to work, we would both be better off if we gave up our jobs and claimed benefits but if we all did that the country would be in a total mess. Even if I return to work we are not entitled to working tax credits and my wages would not cover the child care costs. Labour state that you can claim up to 90% of child care costs, well that’s c**p, they will only give us £1400 per year even though it would cost us £12600 per year in child care.
These are the types of things I want to find out about before making my vote.
Apologies for the rant.
Comment by John on April 15, 2010 at 12:37 pm
The Manifesto says :-
“A Conservative government will end the couple penalty for all couples in the tax credit system as we make savings from our welfare reform plans.”
But what does that actually mean? Tax Credits are currently calculated based on the family income, so how will it work if this idea in the Manifesto is put into force?
Comment by Gaynor on April 17, 2010 at 9:39 pm
With all due respect, Kelly, my family, which includes myself, my Husband and three children, lives on less than half of your combined earnings and so I don’t think you should be entitled to milk tokens!
Good grief, what on Earth do you do with an income of between 40 and 50 thousand pounds? I fully agree with any Government of any party who legislate than state help should be limited to those who earn less than 20,000, particularly when they can be bothered to get up off their backsides for such a paltry sum, as opposed to those lazy layabouts who expect everything given to them.
Comment by Jackie on April 28, 2010 at 6:39 pm
i am lone parent with low income and i wanna know if it true about child tax credit and will it affect low income people as i am only getting certain amount and im kind getting worried please i can just barely pay bills and put food in mine and my child mout
Comment by charlotte on April 28, 2010 at 6:54 pm
well im glad its not stopping so many people need it!
Comment by charlotte on April 28, 2010 at 10:38 pm
so does this meant there only cutting it for people who earn over 50,000 and it stays for people who earn less than that?
Comment by lisa on April 29, 2010 at 10:44 am
labours comments on conservatives stopping tax credits need sorting!! i am close to not voting conservative now!
Comment by Paul on April 30, 2010 at 9:32 am
I’ve always voted labour, but since the conservatives actually seem to be forward and helping the lower income families rather than hinder them they have my vote. About time a Goverment had a shakeup of higher income and better off families!!!
Comment by Hughes on April 30, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Our household earns between 40000 & 50000 pounds per year (43000 to be precise), I would like to know how much I would be affected by, if the conservatives were in power, as we rely on this money to help pay for childcare.
Comment by Smith on May 1, 2010 at 1:27 pm
I also would like to know what is happening for joint incomes that come in between 40 & 50K. It is very unclear which one it is?
Comment by charlotte on May 1, 2010 at 10:59 pm
To be honest i think its a good thing them cutting/ taking away for people who earn 40k-50k a year, and allowing people who earn less than that to keep it, me and my partner are on less than 16k a year we struggle but with the help with tax credits we get there, im sure one day we will earn 50k and wont need tax credits, but im happy they have realised that people with high incomes dont need this!
Comment by mark N on May 2, 2010 at 12:18 pm
The proposal appears to be remove tax credits from those with a gross income or more than £50k.
Therefore, in the case of couples, it’s the joint gross (pre tax/NIC) income which will count.
I would be interested to hear when this comes into effect. As awards are based on tax years will it be April 2011 or retrospective – running from April 2010.
In the case of the latter, as it will take time to revise awards, will those currently in reciept on tax credits (based on this years award) find themselves being billed for an overpayment?
Comment by Nichola on May 2, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Am glad I am not the only one thoroughly confused by the whole tax credit proposals….. We currently get £196 per month after a lot of phone calls the the tax credit place – finally after 6 years they have decided that actually, yes I do qualify for oney towards childcare but surprise surprise only backdated it 3 months!!!!
This is a huge help as our joint income is below the “national average” as am sure lots of other peoples are. Why can;t anyone just be honest and say if you earn £xx you will get £xx and make it much easier for everyone to make an informed decision on this.
I am a previous conservative voter but this is becoming a huge stumbling block for me and we are on the verge of voting for labour (I hate to say it) purely because this is a hug boost to ur finances and the libs are not up front about this either!
Can anyone she any real light on this??????
Comment by kate on May 3, 2010 at 10:21 am
so glad that this matter has been cleared up. we earn 23000 and have three children. I am disabled and can not work any more than 10 hours. cutting tax credits for people earning over 40000 is far enough as I feel those people do not need it. I
I feel that child benefit should be cut for those earning over 50,000 too!
Comment by charlotte on May 3, 2010 at 10:42 pm
anyone earn 20k, what weekly payments do u get?
Comment by Lorraine on May 4, 2010 at 11:47 pm
well i’m a little relieved to hear that the tax credits are not going to be stopped for those earning less, I am a single mum and with my child starting full time school this year I feel its time to return to work as planned, I know I will not be able to earn over 50k just yet.
I too think there should be a better system in place to for child maintainance, my ex partner lied about his earnings and as he was being paid part cash he got away with it so he didn’t need to pay as much as he should have if it went on his actual earning however he did pay every week although never on time, now he is currently serving time in prison yet on his release I don’t think he will need to backdate his paymenta and he currently doesn’t need to pay a penny even though in prrson the prisoners do earn money on the inside (this is as an incentive to do jobs and/or courses) albeit it may just be £10 or so but still I get absolutely no extra help whatsoever whilst he’s inside currently not seeing his child either………..its all so wrong, not my fault my ex partner ended up inside and why should my child miss out, its not my childs fault either?
And whats all the fathers rights business about too? I take my hat off to all those fathers do their best and make sure they see their children on a regular basis and they should be cut some slack by the moaning mothers who seem to wish their ‘weekend off’ came quicker but what about all those fathers like my ex that don’t bother at all, they just pay the maintainance (if you’re lucky) yet they never see the child (by their own choice) yet they want rights over their child just to annoy the mother most times.
I never chose to be a single parent, I never decided that my ex wasn’t going to see his child yet I feel discriminated against, I do just get on with it and deal with it the best I can but when it comes to single parents they don’t get as much help and support that they really need……….I left my last job after getting so many disaplinaries because of having being 1 or 2 minutes late on clocking in and they wasn’t happy when I had almost 2wks off coz my son was so ill he was close to becoming dehydrated, they asked me to find alternative childcare suggesting me to leav my child that ubwell with a relative, neighbour or freind coz the childminder couldn’t have him when he was that ill……baring in mind I had only just moved into my address at that time so did not yet know any of my neighbours and any family member or friend that wasn’t at work and could of had my child was in fact at home themselves with a child, wheres the mention of more flexibility in working for single parents when a child is unwell……I wouldn’t of mined even if I had to get a doctor to confirm my child was unwell so they had proof i wasn’t scivving
Comment by Rachel Benbow on May 5, 2010 at 6:39 pm
I am so glad I found this blog, I had my local MP at my door on the weekend and he told me that conservaties were taking away tax credits all together! blatent lies! I am so disappointed that he did this to me as he was obviously aware I was living on my own with a little boy! its disgraceful they can do this and try scare people into voting!
Comment by Rachel Benbow on May 5, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Sorry should mention it was in fact a labour MP at my door telling all the lies!!
Comment by ????? on May 15, 2010 at 8:47 pm
well, i think government should stop all benefits as its spoiling ppl not to work and giving excuses. its tax payers money so why not to help people whose been paying tax from ages and still struggling whereas people on benefits laugh and driving nice cars. got to help tax payers on first stage.
Comment by Tina on June 9, 2010 at 4:33 pm
Only me again, deduct 13,500 off 43,000 leaves 29,500 gross now tax that at about 6,000 leaves about 23000 thats £442 a month to pay our mortgage, council tax, gas, elec, food etc, certainly couldn’t afford clothing, outings or bloody food. So god knows where government are coming from! I want to work yet may not be able to especially if the childminders wages are higher then mine, crazy!
Comment by Anita on June 16, 2010 at 9:10 am
Ho would you help working marraiages with children,who has taken up mortgage, who were saving up money for mortgage, to buy 2 bed flat. If child is born and both parents wants to work, nanny has to be there and normally you pay £1000 per month. It is one salary +mortgage etc. How The conservatives pary will help. Ideally you could support with child care cost. In this case it is better not work, live on benefits and get more then £1000 per month….what’s better
Comment by Lisa P on June 23, 2010 at 1:56 pm
So who forgot to tell Gideon about that then?
Naughty Naughty Naughty
Comment by Anshu on October 19, 2010 at 1:23 pm
I have a thought on CHILD BENEFIT. I have a toddler and am the parent representative on the governor’s board of the nursery she attends. I see many families in our area with several children; i am not talking 2-3, but 7-8. I think it’s unfair that the taxpayer should foot the bill for such a fammily.
1. If they can barely afford one child, why have 7?
2. How can they give enough time to 7 children? Social services should really look into this acpect.
3. The UK is a free country and if a couple want to have 10 children we should not stop them.
BUT we should stop paying for them. I think a family on benefits should stop receiving ANY benefit if they choose to have more than 2 kids.
Do let me know your thoughts.