The “Bridgwater Mercury” article dated Tuesday 19th August, states that “A total of 16% of all families in the Bridgwater and West Somerset parliamentary constituency have now been classed as living in problem debt where they are behind by more than £4,000 in bills and payments” and the Lib Dem candidate ,Taunton councillor Justine Baker, states that she is: “ not surprised that figures for Bridgwater are so high….more needs to be done to support families and I don’t think enough attention has been given to this problem”.
Cllr Mick Lerry stated: “Well the Lib Dems in Government have supported the Tory led assault on people on low incomes, who are under-employed, not on a living wage or above and many on zero-hours contracts”.
David Cameron said, “Every single domestic policy that the government comes up with will be examined for its impact on the family…For me, nothing matters more than family. It’s at the centre of my life and the heart of my politics”.
Families let down by Government ‘for the privileged few’
His record in government tells another story. Families have been let down by a government that stands up for the privileged few. By 2015 the Government will have taken away up to £15 billion in support for children and families.
A family with children where both parents are working will be on average £2,073 a year worse off by the time of the next General Election because of tax and benefit changes since 2010
The bedroom tax hits 220,000 households with children, which, based on average UK family size, could mean as many as 375,000 children affected
Cuts to tax credits and maternity pay
House of Commons library figures show an average family with a new born baby is losing £2,000 as a result of David Cameron’s cuts to tax credits, maternity pay and support for new families
The Government cut the percentage of childcare costs parents could claim through the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit from 80 per cent to 70 per cent, meaning some working families could lose up to £1,500 a year in childcare support
The Government’s own impact assessment has warned that Universal Credit may encourage second earners in a household – who are primarily women – to reduce their hours in work, or leave work altogether: “As the focus of Universal Credit is to help reduce workless households there is a risk of decreased work incentives for second earners in couples (primarily women)”
Childcare costs have risen by 30 per cent since 2010 – five times faster than wages and since 2010, families have seen their energy bills rise by more than £300.
“Since 2010 the present Government, supported by the Lib Dems have been responsible for income inequality, which has meant that more children and families are living with debt problems,” said Cllr Mick Lerry.
21st August 201
Cllr Mick Lerry – Leader of the Labour Group on Sedgemoor District Council
Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Bridgwater and West Somerset Constituency
Mobile: 07775905080
Email: michael.lerry@btinternet.com