235 couples with children in part-time work in Lanark & Hamilton East could lose around £4,000 a year from this April, following a change to tax credit rules being introduced by the government.

Jim Hood, Labour MP for Lanark & Hamilton East is urging the Conservative-led government to reconsider a little-noticed change to tax credit rules which means thousands of families will lose all of their working tax credits unless they can significantly increase their working hours.

The change means that couples with children earning less than around £17,700 will need to increase the number of hours they work from a minimum of 16 to 24 hours per week or they will lose all their working tax credit of £3,870 per year.

Jim Hood MP said:

“This is a deeply unfair change from a government that is increasingly out of touch with parents feeling the squeeze and struggling to juggle work and family life.

“Raising taxes and cutting spending too far and too fast has seen unemployment rise and the economy go into reverse, and many employers are cutting people’s hours. In this climate, very few people in part-time work will be able to increase their hours by up to 50 per cent. And for a couple with children losing around £4,000 a year, or £75 a week, from this change could mean going out to work makes no sense. 

“This tax credits bombshell is now just a few weeks away. For many families here in Lanark & Hamilton East it means going out to work won’t pay and they’ll be better off on benefits. That makes no economic sense at all. The government urgently needs to think again.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors

HMRC’s website explaining the changes says:

At the moment, if you’re responsible for at least one child and working at least 16 hours a week, you can get Working Tax Credit.

From 6 April 2012, the rules for couples with at least one child are changing. In most cases, to qualify for Working Tax Credit your joint working hours will need to be at least 24 a week.

This will mean:

• if you both work your joint weekly hours must be at least 24, with one of you working at least 16 hours a week
• if only one of you works, that person must be working at least 24 hours a week
• If neither of these apply, your Working Tax Credit will stop from 6 April 2012.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcreditsbudget/index.htm#2

“Pupils from local schools took part in the launch of the “Labour of Love”, a book celebrating the life of Robert Smillie who lived in Larkhall and was one of the leading lights in the Labour and trade union movement, a man who was instrumental in setting up the Scottish Miners’ Federation; the Scottish Trade Union Congress; the Miners Federation of Great Britain and the Labour Party.  Robert Smillie was also the founders of the National Association for Civil Liberties and a Member of Parliament.  Provost Russell Clearie gave a thought provoking introduction to the life of Robert Smillie and welcomed Jim Hood MP who spoke about the contribution the Miners and its leaders made to the Larkhall Community.  Music was provided by pupils at Robert Smillie Memorial Primary School and Larkhall Academy before Jean Devlin, Headteacher at Robert Smillie Memorial Primary School introduced Blair Smillie who presented details of his great grandfathers life.  The vote of thanks was given by Head boy at Larkhall Academy Christopher Shaw and Head Girls Louise McKee.  In a fitting tribute  to the contribution made by Robert Smillie to Larkhall, local Labour Councillors Jackie Burns and Andy Carmichael announced that the Council planned to erect a plaque in memory of Robert Smillie.”

PHOTO

Jim Hood MP Lanark and Hamilton East, Bob Smillie Grandson of Robert Smillie, Blair Smillie great grandson of Robert Smillie and Councillor Jackie Burns

Launch of the book 'Labour of Love' at Robert Smillie Primary School, Larkhall - 18/11/11

New UK Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries for Scotland

 Following the announcement on 13 October, 2011, publishing the initial proposals by the Boundary Commission for Scotland to review the UK Parliamentary constituency boundaries, Jim Hood,  MP for Lanark and Hamilton East, said:-

“   The Scottish Boundary Commission has published its Initial Proposals for new UK Parliamentary Boundaries to be in place for the next General Election 2015. Scotland is being cut from 59 to 52 Constituencies as part of the Coalition’s UK wide cut of 50 MP’s. This review was in the 2010 Con/Dem Coalition agreement, where they wanted to cut Labour seats disproportionately in Wales and Scotland hoping to give the Conservatives a UK wide 30 seat advantage.

Shamelessly David Cameron’s passion to cut the number of MP’s  didn’t stop him from appointing an extra 200+ unelected Life Peers to the House of Lords. The Lib/Dems now know they were deceived and now find they stand to lose half of their MP’s along with Labour’s 30. Don’t be surprised if we see another Lib/Dem Coalition “boundary pause” until after the 2015 election. “

 Jim Hood MP for Lanark & Hamilton East showed his support for World School Milk Day on Thursday 22 September, by being an honorary milk monitor at the Cadzow Nursery School in Hamilton where he helped to hand out milk to the children.

World School Milk Day is organised by the UN Food & Agriculture Organisation and is celebrated in over 30 countries around the world.  The company Cool Milk supply the milk to the Nursery School and they promote the day throughout the UK.

 Jim Hood said :

“A change of career for the day to being “Honorary Milk Monitor” reminds me of the time when everybody had free milk at school and the significance milk played in the diets of ‘us kids’ in recharging the mind & body for the rest of the day.  I am pleased to be able to join the Cadzow Nursery School children in celebrating World School Milk Day and helping to create awareness of the importance of drinking milk at school.”

JIM HOOD MP URGES SCOTTISH SECRETARY TO VISIT LANARKSHIRE

A delegation of Lanarkshire’s Labour MPs  met with Scottish Secretary Michael Moore on Wednesday 7 September, to urge him to act now to help all those out of work in Lanarkshire.

Figures show that Lanarkshire is among one of the hardest hit areas in the country with a higher claimant count than the Scottish and UK averages.  Youth unemployment currently stands at 12.5% across the county.   In Lanark & Hamilton East 12.2 % of 18-24 year olds are out of work.  

Jim Hood MP for Lanark & Hamilton East has invited Michael Moore to visit Lanarkshire, to see for himself how people and businesses are struggling, and to understand the impact of government policies on Lanarkshire communities.    Michael Moore has agreed to the visit.

Jim Hood said:

“Lanarkshire is being disproportionately hit by the policies of the Tory-led government.

More people now are in receipt of Jobseekers’ Allowance than a year ago.  With a higher claimant count than the Scottish or UK average, it is clear that people in Lanarkshire are bearing the brunt of the government’s actions.   Businesses are also struggling and still finding it difficult to access bank lending.

One of our biggest concerns is youth unemployment. We cannot afford to lose a generation to worklessness.  Too many young people in my constituency are out of work – with little prospect of finding a job any time soon.  10 people are going for every JobcentrePlus job in Lanarkshire.

The government must do more to create jobs, not cut them. It must find work for our young people, not consign them to the unemployment scrapheap.   With massive public spending cuts, high unemployment, increased VAT, astronomical energy bills, and the ever rising cost of living,  action must be taken now to help struggling families across Lanarkshire.

I welcome the fact that Michael Moore will visit Lanarkshire, so that he can see for himself how local people and businesses are suffering. Maybe then he will see that the Tory-led government’s policies are hurting, because they are certainly not working. Real action is needed now to help young people back into work.”

 MP DEMANDS IMMEDIATE POST OFFICE ALTERNATIVE

 Jim Hood, MP for Lanark & Hamilton East, has raised his concerns with the Royal Mail about the provision of postal services in Larkhall, following the collapse of the Haldane’s Group and resultant closure of the supermarket where the post office was located.

 Speaking from his constituency office, Jim Hood MP said:

 “The closure of the supermarket in Larkhall is devastating news for the community and for workers who now find themselves without a job. 

 This closure will also bring serious disadvantage to the community who can’t get access to the post office to collect their pensions and benefits, etc.   I have immediately contacted Royal Mail insisting that alternative arrangements must be put in place to restore post office provision as a matter of urgency”

The collapse of the fledgling supermarket chain follows a legal row with the Manchester-based Co-operative Group.

 Local MP calls for greater recognition for the UK’s six million carers

 Jim Hood MP for Lanark & Hamilton East,  has teamed up with TV presenter Angela Rippon to support this year’s Carers Week (13-19 June) and recognise the contribution made by those people in Lanark & Hamilton East and throughout the UK who provide unpaid care for someone who is ill, frail or disabled.

 The theme for Carers Week 2011 is ‘The True Face of Carers’.  It calls for greater recognition for the diverse range of people who have caring responsibilities. The work they carry out is vital for their families and friends, and for their communities.

 Jim Hood MP said:

“Thousands of people in Lanark & Hamilton East sacrifice not only their time, but also their money and their health in order to care for a loved one. Together they save this country an incredible £119 billion every year. They deserve to be recognised for their contribution to both our local community and to wider society.

“I am taking part in Carers Week to show my respect and appreciation for our carers. I also want to let them know that there are services out there to help them. Caring can be so incredibly demanding. It’s important that carers know that they don’t have to struggle on alone.”

 Carers Week is organised by a partnership of 9 national charities: Age UK, Carers UK, Counsel & Care, Crossroads Care, Dementia UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, MS Society, Parkinson’s UK, and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

 For more information about local events and activities taking place as part of Carers Week, visit www.carersweek.org.

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 Note to editors:

Carers Week 2011 takes place from 13-19 June, and highlights the vital work carried out by those who provide unpaid care for someone who is ill, frail or disabled.   Carers Week campaigns for greater recognition and support for carers; to ensure that all carers know that they are not alone, and that help and services are available.

 JIM HOOD MP BACKS CAMPAIGN AGAINST UNFAIR CHANGES TO WOMEN’S STATE PENSION AGE

Jim Hood MP is backing Age UK’s campaign against Government plans which will see thousands of women waiting up to two years longer for their state pension than promised under the Coalition agreement.

Jim Hood has joined hundreds of MPs who have signed an Early Day Motion to reverse the changes which break the Coalition Agreement’s pledge to hold off speeding up the equalisation of the State Pension Age.

In its current form the Pensions Bill intends to bring forward equalisation of the State Pension Age to 65 to 2018, instead of 2020 as previously planned. Pensions Age for both men and women will then increase to 66 by 2020. All women born between 6th April 1953 and 5th April 1960 will be affected by the changes. State Pension Age will be increased for 2.6 million women, but 330,000 women across the country will be hit hardest, having to wait between 18 months and two years longer for their state pension. 

Jim Hood MP said: “These proposals will hurt thousands of hard-working women who believed their retirement was just around the corner. Many are being forced to wait up to two years longer and stand to lose up to £10,000 as a result. This is the second time these women’s pension has been delayed and it is unfair to expect them to postpone their retirement plans.

“Working longer is not an option for many of this age group with the caring responsibilities and health problems they face. In addition to these difficulties these women are anxious about how they will make ends meet if these proposals go ahead. After paying into their pensions all their working lives these women don’t deserve a second delay to their state pension.”

Earlier this year in the House of Lords debate on the Bill (30 March) Peers showed strong support for reversing the proposals. The vote was narrowly lost, with 214 votes in favour of the amendment and 226 against, but the close result shows the strength of the level of support for the campaign.

-Ends-

Notes to editors

Case studies and Age UK spokespeople are available for interview. To arrange, please contact Vicky Smith on tel: 020 3033 1438 or email: vicky.smith@ageuk.org.uk

For further information about the campaign, please visit www.ageuk.org.uk/spa

 For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

The proposals in the Pensions Bill would mean that nationwide, 2.6 million women would have to wait longer before they reach their State Pension Age (SPA). Of these:

-          Around 330,000 women born between December 1953 and October 1954 would see their SPA increased by 18 months or longer.

-          33,000 women born between 6 March 1954 and 5 April 1954 would see their SPA rise by two years.

JIM HOOD  MP CALLS FOR VAT RISE ON FUEL TO BE REVERSED

Jim Hood, Labour MP for Lanark & Hamilton East is calling on the Chancellor George Osborne to reverse the government’s VAT rise on fuel.

The hike in VAT to 20 per cent in January has added nearly 3p to the price of a litre of petrol and will raise £700m for the Treasury, according to figures from the independent House of Commons Library.

The Labour Party says the VAT rise should be reversed immediately on petrol using the £800m extra the government is now getting from the bank levy, compared to what it was expecting in the last Budget. 

Jim Hood MP said:

“I’ve consistently opposed the Conservative-led government’s VAT rise which has hit families in Lanark & Hamilton East and helped to push up petrol prices to their current record levels.

“It’s time the Chancellor George Osborne took immediate action on fuel prices to ease the pressure on families who are already facing a tough year and their incomes squeezed. He should immediately reverse the VAT rise on fuel, which has added nearly 3p to the price of a litre of petrol, using the extra £800m the Treasury will be getting from the bank levy.

“And in the Budget, George Osborne should look again at the annual fuel duty rise due in April. The last Labour government often postponed planned duty increases when world oil prices were on the up – as they are now. The Tories promised a ‘fuel duty stabiliser’ to win votes before the election, but if they don’t deliver one it will just be another broken promise from this government. “

ENDS

Families in Lanark & Hamilton East lose out from childcare cuts

Around 2,500 families in South Lanarkshire  are set to lose £447 per year as a result of the Government’s cuts to childcare support, bringing a devastating blow to local families.

The cut stems from George Osborne’s 2010 Spending Review, when he reduced the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit, which is claimed by around 41,000 working households across Scotland.

Under the current system, working parents can claim support for up to 80% of the costs of childcare, but from April that figure will fall to 70%.

Labour MP Jim Hood said:

“The Tories and Lib Dems have failed to protect hard working families in Lanark & Hamilton East.  Supporting children from the youngest age, and getting new parents back to work, should be a priority of this Government

This cut could lead to as many as one in three working parents to consider giving up their job because they feel unable to cope with childcare costs.  The price of a nursery place has risen by over 20 percent in real terms since 2002.

This shows that the Conservatives and Lib Dems have no plan for families.  George Osborne should come to Lanark & Hamilton East and explain himself to the families who keep getting hit the hardest by this Government.”

ENDS