Clause 7 - Income test
Tax Credits Bill
11:00 am
Mr Howard Flight (Arundel and South Downs, Conservative)
I thank the Minister for those comments. I want to return to one issue, because I think that she slightly misrepresented in terms of numbers the type of situation that I described. We are talking, of course, about a minority, but in settlements involving families—I am thinking particularly of London—maintenance agreements, by agreement with the court, of the order of £3,000 per month are not that rare. That is certainly not the average, but if the Minister considers remuneration levels in central London, she will understand my point. I am talking not about the tiny minority at the super-rich end of the scale, but about an affluent minority that is not tiny. My point applied in that context. I understand the argument that we should not clutter this up when we are trying to keep matters as uncluttered as possible. People other than myself are likely to find it objectionable if they know that people generously provided for in maintenance payments—of whatever sex, these days—were then able to secure £1,000 or more tax-free child tax credit.
The amendment is a probing one, which we shall not press to the vote. I am happy with part of the
Minister's response, although not all of it. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Clause 7 ordered to stand part of the Bill.