Gavin calls on MPs to block Tory cuts to Tax Credits
Gavin Newlands, the MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has today reaffirmed his opposition to the UK Government’s plans to slash tax credits for cash-strapped families in Renfrewshire, after new figures show that 5,000 children and 3,000 families in his constituency will be affected.
Ahead of the Report Stage and the Third Reading of the Welfare Reform and Work Bill tomorrow (Tuesday 27th October), the Renfrewshire MP is calling on Tory MPs to unite with opposition MPs to block the UK Government’s plans to cut tax credits.
This is the last opportunity for MPs to vote on the bill which includes extensive changes to welfare benefits and major cuts to tax credits and makes up the majority of George Osborne’s £12 billion welfare benefit savings.
Gavin Newlands, the MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said:
“The UK Government are the self-proclaimed champions of ‘hard-working people’, yet their plans to pick the pockets of cash-strapped families by slashing tax credits exposes the callousness of this Conservative administration.
“3,000 children and 5,000 families from my constituency alone stand to lose an average of £1,000 from the Tory plans to strip away vital tax credits – over 200,000 families across Scotland will be hit in the pocket for a decision made by an out-of-touch Tory government that they’ve never voted for in their lives.
“In Scotland, although it is rare, all of the political parties and civil society are united in opposition to the UK Government’s cuts. Indeed, the Conservative leader in Scotland, Ruth Davidson, has finally found her voice and has called on her boss in Number 10 to U-turn – the Prime Minister cannot even convince Tories in Scotland to back his cuts and is facing unrest on his own government benches, as MPs see their mailboxes fill up with messages from concerned constituents.
“When the Welfare Reform and Work Bill returns to the floor of the House of Commons, we have one last chance to block these cuts and the SNP are appealing to both Labour and Tory MPs about the devastating impact that these cuts will have on their constituents and vote against this dreadful Bill.
“In the interest of families in Renfrewshire, throughout Scotland and across the UK, MPs from all sides of the House must show the strength and courage to unite and stand up to this arrogant UK Government and send the Tories back to think again.”
