Rushanara Ali MP questioned the Chancellor at today’s Treasury Questions on his plans both to ‘slash’ tax credits for working families and to deliver the news to families in time for Christmas, as reports have suggested.

• The Chancellor’s cuts to tax credits would leave 3 million working families across the UK £1,300 worse off.
• These Government changes will push a further 200,000 children into poverty over the next year.
• It is estimated that 12,900 children in 5,900 working families living in Bethnal Green will be affected by these tax credit changes.

Last night’s votes in the House of Lords pushes the Chancellor to provide support for families as they make the transition to the new, lower tax credits, and also makes the Government publish studies into how cuts will affect low-income families.

Speaking after the debate, Rushanara said:

“Following defeats in the House of Lords, the Government has been forced to look again at its tax credits cuts which, if implemented, will have a devastating impact on many families in the East End and millions of people across the country who are already struggling to make ends meet.

“The Chancellor should take this opportunity to think again and avoid going down in history as the Scrooge Chancellor delivering devastating news to millions of people in the run up to Christmas.

“But merely postponing the cuts until the New Year isn’t the answer and I will continue to oppose the Tory tax credit cuts at every turn.”