Engagements

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister – in the House of Commons at 11:30 am on 30 April 2008.

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Photo of Gordon Brown Gordon Brown The Prime Minister, Leader of the Labour Party 11:30, 30 April 2008

Because we have taken a million pensioners out of poverty. Because we are on the road to taking a million children out of poverty. Because we introduced the new deal to get people in work—opposed by the Liberal party. Because we have introduced child tax credits and raised child benefit, and child tax credits were opposed by the Liberal party. The reason why people should support Labour is that our policies for social justice are not only taking people out of poverty, but giving people the chance of work.

Annotations

Alix Cull
Posted on 1 May 2008 10:16 am (Report this annotation)

The previous Prime Minister urged people to save. New babies are given a start with a grant. How does the present Prime Minister expect young people,in their 20's and 30's whose illness may be chronic, physical or mental, expect this group to save, when their allowances which are, to say the least difficult to access, and the amount of savings they are allowed to have are limited to £3000 before their Benefits are depleted? Some may be unable to top up their income by work, or part time work And why is there a limit of £6000 savings for pensioners who have worked hard all their lives, but have in many cases to dispose of their dwelling in order to get the care which they require? They may be entitled to Carer's Allownace, but this does not provide sufficient care for those who are chronically sick. It also puts a great burden on relatives, who may still have their own family commitments.

Alix Cull
Posted on 1 May 2008 10:18 am (Report this annotation)

The previous Prime Minister urged people to save. New babies are given a start with a grant. How does the present Prime Minister expect young people,in their 20's and 30's whose illness may be chronic, physical or mental, expect this group to save, when their allowances which are, to say the least difficult to access, and the amount of savings they are allowed to have are limited to £3000 before their Benefits are depleted? Some may be unable to top up their income by work, or part time work And why is there a limit of £6000 savings for pensioners who have worked hard all their lives, but have in many cases to dispose of their dwelling in order to get the care which they require? They may be entitled to Carer's Allowance, but this does not provide sufficient care for those who are chronically sick. It also puts a great burden on relatives, who may still have their own family commitments. Care in the community is a farce, inasmuch as it was not thought out before the closure of hospitals.

David Clark
Posted on 1 May 2008 11:50 am (Report this annotation)

Again the PM ignores the fact that the tax credit system is cumbersome and complicated and many elligible people don't apply for it. Some because of the danger of debt if it is miscalculated and refunds are demanded. The Government allows for this much reduced take-up when calculating how much is needed to fund it. However, it is still wheeled out to show what a good job the Government is doing for the poor, giving the impression that all who are entitled claim it.