Skip to main content

Proceeding contribution from Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 30 November 2011. It occurred during Opposition day on Living Standards.


Living Standards

Wait a minute—I am trying to answer the hon. Lady. She may not like the answer, but I want to finish it. The reality therefore is, yes, of course, but I think that we have done as much as we can to protect those who are in difficulty. In answer to the hon. Lady, I should like to list a few things that we have done. Bearing in mind the changes we have made to taxation, more than half of those who will be lifted out of income tax will be women. We are investing an additional £300 million in child care support on top of the £2 billion already being spent. There will be 5,000 mentors to support women entrepreneurs and we are creating the women's business council to advise Government. There will be up to £2 million to support women to set up and expand businesses in rural areas. We are improving child tax credits this April with a £180 real-terms permanent increase in the child element. Next April, there is an increase of 5.2% and a further £135. We are doubling the number of two-year-old kids who receive 15 hours of free education a week. There is also the £2.5 billion pupil premium. I could go on and on. We are doing huge amounts to try to protect the poorest in society.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
536 c993 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Children Disadvantaged Benefits rules Women Families Economic situation Personal income Low incomes Poverty Public expenditure Low pay Public finance Welfare tax credits Taxation Unemployment Standard of living Cuts
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk