TOMORROW the Chancellor will deliver his first Budget since the election. The Government has already said it wants to cut £12bn from benefits and tax credits. But it has promised to protect pensioners and child benefit.

So what’s left is payments to young people and people of working age – including those with children on lower incomes. These are among the groups already hit hardest by similar cuts under the coalition government.

Benefits and tax credits went up by less than inflation, meaning many families having to cut back on things that are essential for children’s healthy development. And changes such as the bedroom tax and other reductions have meant many families can no longer afford to pay their full rent. This is particularly hard for families in Oxford with its high housing costs.

The money from these cuts did not go towards reducing the deficit but instead was used for tax cuts, which benefit those on higher incomes. Even at this late stage, the Oxford and district Child Poverty Action Group calls on the Government not to cut benefits and tax credits for children and young people.

FRAN BENNETT
Oxford & district Child Poverty Action Group
St Bernard’s Road, Oxford