Tax credit cuts will cost local families £1.4 million, says Carmichael

Almost 2,000 families in the Northern Isles will lose a total of £1.4million as a result of the Government’s changes to tax credits, according to Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael.

According to Mr Carmichael, figures from the House of Commons library show that 1,900 families, and 3,300 children, in the Northern Isles will be affected by the proposed changes.

Mr Carmichael said: “Families across the country will suffer from these changes to tax credits, including nearly 2,000 in the Northern Isles.

“These are lifeline benefits to those on low or middle incomes striving to provide for their families. They are the very people that just a few months ago David Cameron was claiming to stick up for.

“The Prime Minister points to increases in the minimum wage and the amount that you can earn before paying tax as the means by which these cuts in tax credits will be restored.

“The problem is that these changes will bring in money in the future but these cuts are in the here and now. I have never shirked from the need to bring public spending under control.

“In government, Liberal Democrats constantly blocked this sort of change because we felt that it hit the poorest hardest. Now that the Conservatives are a majority government they can do whatever they want.

“As wage increases kick in, the amount paid out in tax credits will automatically reduce. That is why these cuts are unnecessary.”

He added: “I have heard that there is now plenty of disquiet on the Conservative backbenches about the political cost of these reforms. I hope that the Chancellor will see some sense and row back on these plans.”