Tom Elliott MP has welcomed the u-turn by the Chancellor George Osborne over cuts to tax credits. The Chancellor announced in the 2015 Autumn Statement that proposed changes to tax credits would not be taken forward.
Mr Elliott said:
“I am glad the Chancellor has seen sense and u-turned on his proposed changes to tax credits. These changes would have seen over 120,000 families in Northern Ireland unfairly penalised.
“This policy ran totally contrary to making work pay and would have potentially forced many in low paid jobs out of work, especially those who are battling with increasing child care costs. Given that Northern Ireland has lower than average wages, the pinch would have been particularly felt by those affected locally.
“Whilst the Ulster Unionist Party fully recognises the need to reform the Welfare system, it would have been unforgivable to remove support from those who are holding down jobs despite the low wage they receive in return.”