Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Baroness Hollis of Heigham (Labour). It was answered on Thursday, 11 October 2007.

Tax Credits

Question: My Lords, is not the problem we are addressing the fact that wages do not reflect family size and family need? Equally, neither do tax bands because of individual disaggregation. That means, therefore, that tax credits uniquely bridge the gap between family size and family income in a way that has transformed—transformed—the life chances of hundreds of thousands of children and thousands of lone parents who, as a result of those tax credits, now see their take-home pay doubled and that work pays.

Answer: My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend. The House will recognise her well earned expertise in this area. The House will appreciate my noble friend’s long-standing commitment both on the Back Benches and at this Dispatch Box with regard to these issues. Her testimony on this matter is therefore to be taken seriously by the whole House.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 695 c349-50
Session: 2006-07
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Overpayments Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration Welfare tax credits Repayments Revenue and Customs
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk