Paula Sherriff A proven track record of fighting for you in Dewsbury, Mirfield, Denby Dale and Kirkburton
Thousands of families in Dewsbury and Mirfield are set to be hit in the pocket through cuts to tax credits in the government’s attempt to slash 12 billion a year on welfare.
One option under consideration would see a family with one child lose £845.00 and a family with two children lose £1690.00. Figures show that 8,700 families with children are in receipt of tax credits in Dewsbury, with 6,200 of them in work. Lowest earners are set to be hit the hardest.
In an exchange in Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday between the Prime Minister and the acting leader of the opposition Harriet Harman, Harman challenged the prime minister, accusing him of robbing from children.
The Prime Minister responded saying: “My programme for tackling poverty is to get more people in work, get them better paid and cut their taxes.”.
Dewsbury MP, Paula Sherriff furiously commented afterwards: “Is the Prime Minister seriously saying that upon the implementation of these cuts in tax credits that employers will just suddenly dish out pay rises? With many of my constituents already struggling on in work benefits, zero hours contracts and low pay, the latest proposal to rob them of on average of £1400 a year is a kick in the teeth.”
Sherriff who is backing Yvette Cooper for the Labour leadership echoed comments from the Shadow Home Secretary made on Wednesday where she accused the Prime Minister of again hitting woman hardest. Sherriff said:
“In my maiden speech I spoke of the struggle women still face in society and it appears that the Prime Minister is intent on making that struggle worse, not better. With 90% of tax credits being paid to woman, its clear woman still have an uphill battle in society.”