‘Child benefit important for families’ – McKevitt | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

‘Child benefit important for families’ – McKevitt

SDLP South Down MLA Karen McKevitt said the Tory proposals for child benefit cuts are of serious concern for families.

Speaking to Newry Times she said: “The problem with Tory cuts is that even when they are most political they always come dressed up in the language of good housekeeping.

“The proposal to cut child benefit where one parent is earning more than £50,000 may sound reasonable in terms of targeting benefits on those with greatest need. But this universal benefit, paid equally to all, has been the very cornerstone of the welfare state for generations.

“Even for two-income families child benefit is often absolutely essential in meeting the high costs of child care and cuts could have a negative economic impact.

She added, “Proposals to restrict benefits for families with more than two children are particularly alarming – this sort of thing was last heard of from the old unionist regime when the welfare state was being set up.

“Given our local demographics it is potentially discriminatory and it will have to be tested against the equality provisions of the Good Friday Agreement.”

Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=24864

Posted by on Nov 6 2012. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Leave a Reply







Find us on Facebook

Log in | Designed by Gabfire themes