Skates hits out over tax credit cuts

An Assembly Member has warned that Tory tax credit cuts could cost his constituents as much as £3,000 a year.

Ken Skates, AM for Clwyd South, fears the UK Government’s decision to impose cuts of around 10% of families’ monthly incomes could have a ‘hugely detrimental’ impact on their living standards, the life chances of their children and the local economy. 

The cuts will affect three million working families across the UK.

Mr Skates said: “In Clwyd South alone, more than 5,000 families will be affected. Some 3,500 of these are working families. Figures show that households will be an average of £1,300 worse off, but that some will be up to £3,000 out of pocket as a direct result of the Tories’ cuts to tax credits.”

Mr Skates is encouraging his constituents to join the campaign against the cuts by signing the petition at labour.org.uk/taxcredits.

He said: “Tax credits are designed to ensure that work pays. Cutting them undermines the value of work, and means that the UK Government is penalising those who work hard every day just to get by. I’m asking residents to join me in sending a clear message to the Tories that these cuts to working people’s living standards are unacceptable.”

Mr Skates added: “This is another example of how the Tories are making working families bear the brunt of deficit reduction while some of the wealthiest people in the country have received a tax break. It’s just not right.”