Dagenham MP Jon Cruddas has launched a public consultation on the government’s controversial planned cuts to tax credits.
Dagenham MP Jon Cruddas has launched a public consultation on the government’s controversial planned cuts to tax credits.
The former Labour party policy coordinator was one of the 294 who unsuccessfully voted against the Tax Credit Bill in the House of Commons last week and now wants to hear the opinions of residents.
The proposals would have affected 6,600 working families in his Dagenham and Rainham constituency, but the measures were defeated in the House of Lords on Monday night.
Although it is unclear how any revised proposals will end up looking, Mr Cruddas insists any cuts to tax credits would be unfair.
“Let’s make no mistake, and let’s call this what it is – an attack on working families,” he said.
“We would feel the impact more than most in Dagenham and Rainham if this bill was passed next year, because the number of people on low or part-time incomes is significantly higher here than the London average.
“Barking and Dagenham as a borough is the second most-deprived area in London.
“The fact of the matter is that 57 per cent of local households are set to lose £1,300. I don’t think this is right.”
Currently 63pc of children in Dagenham and Rainham come from families receiving tax credits and the Labour MP now wants to hear from residents over the issue.
“I voted against the cut and will continue to fight the Tories on this,” he added.
“In today’s climate nobody can afford to lose £1,300, especially the people still earning beneath the living wage that rely on these credits to get by.”
Barking MP Margaret Hodge also voted against the bill.
“Over 10 thousand hard working families across the borough will lose money as a result of this ludicrous policy,” she said.
“The changes to tax credits are ill-thought out and completely undermine the principle of ensuring that work always pays.
“The Labour government introduced tax credits to make sure people were better off in work than on benefits and to target money at people who really needed it.”
Dagenham residents can have their say by emailing Mr Cruddas on jon@jon-cruddas-mp.net.
Would you be affected by a cut in tax credits? How do you feel about the government proposals?
Email mark.shales@archant.co.uk or call 020 8477 3824.
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