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05/10/2010
Tax Break For Married Couples Planned
It is believed the government are planning to introduce a tax break for married couples before the 2015 election.
The announcement comes after wide criticism of the chancellor's plan to axe child benefit for higher rate taxpayers from 2013.
However, the Prime Minister has stood by plans to scrap child benefit for high earners.
In a recent interview, David Cameron said he knew cutting the benefit for earners making more than £44,000 would not make him popular - however it was the "right thing to do".
He added it is fair to ask them to contribute to cutting the £155bn deficit.
However, Labour's Yvette Cooper has described the move as an "unfair attack on child benefit".
Yesterday, Chancellor George Osborne announced that from 2013 child benefit is to be axed for high rate taxpayers.
In an interview with the BBC, Mr Osborne said it was a "big decision" but "absolutely necessary."
During a time of severe financial pressure, the move would save the government around £1bn a year.
Mr Osborne also revealed the total state benefits one family can claim in future will be capped at about £26,000.
This will mean that no family on welfare will be better off than one earning an average income from work, the chancellor said.
The changes will apply to around 1.2 million families.
Those affected are parents who earn around £44,000 individually, roughly 40% tax level or above.
However single parents and couples on modest incomes would be further penalised.
Each year, child benefit is paid out to 7.7 million families with children, costing around £12bn per year.
Mr Osborne said: "It's very hard to justify taxing people on much lower incomes in order to pay the child benefit to some of the better off in our society."
He said the cut would hit homes with a single or two high earners but families with two parents on separate incomes up to £44,000 - would keep the benefit.
The chancellor describes his plan as "the most straightforward" option - which would avoid across the board means testing.
Mr Cameron told the BBC that while people on £44,000 were not rich - they were "a lot better off" than those trying to raise a family on £25,000 a year adding that the cut - "makes sense".
"In the spending round we're having to make difficult decisions. This is £1bn I don't have to take off the education budget.
"I want to make sure in Britain we have real social mobility and life chances given to the poorest children in our country so they can go to the best schools and the best universities and we can have a truly mobile Britain.
"That does mean in a spending round you have to ask better off people to make a contribution so you can protect the most vulnerable and help them have a better life."
Accusing the previous Labour leadership of having "bankrupted the country", he said: "It is difficult. I wish I wasn't having to do this, but we have to deal with the problems in front of us."
Later, at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith will give more details later on welfare reform.
(BMcN/GK)
The announcement comes after wide criticism of the chancellor's plan to axe child benefit for higher rate taxpayers from 2013.
However, the Prime Minister has stood by plans to scrap child benefit for high earners.
In a recent interview, David Cameron said he knew cutting the benefit for earners making more than £44,000 would not make him popular - however it was the "right thing to do".
He added it is fair to ask them to contribute to cutting the £155bn deficit.
However, Labour's Yvette Cooper has described the move as an "unfair attack on child benefit".
Yesterday, Chancellor George Osborne announced that from 2013 child benefit is to be axed for high rate taxpayers.
In an interview with the BBC, Mr Osborne said it was a "big decision" but "absolutely necessary."
During a time of severe financial pressure, the move would save the government around £1bn a year.
Mr Osborne also revealed the total state benefits one family can claim in future will be capped at about £26,000.
This will mean that no family on welfare will be better off than one earning an average income from work, the chancellor said.
The changes will apply to around 1.2 million families.
Those affected are parents who earn around £44,000 individually, roughly 40% tax level or above.
However single parents and couples on modest incomes would be further penalised.
Each year, child benefit is paid out to 7.7 million families with children, costing around £12bn per year.
Mr Osborne said: "It's very hard to justify taxing people on much lower incomes in order to pay the child benefit to some of the better off in our society."
He said the cut would hit homes with a single or two high earners but families with two parents on separate incomes up to £44,000 - would keep the benefit.
The chancellor describes his plan as "the most straightforward" option - which would avoid across the board means testing.
Mr Cameron told the BBC that while people on £44,000 were not rich - they were "a lot better off" than those trying to raise a family on £25,000 a year adding that the cut - "makes sense".
"In the spending round we're having to make difficult decisions. This is £1bn I don't have to take off the education budget.
"I want to make sure in Britain we have real social mobility and life chances given to the poorest children in our country so they can go to the best schools and the best universities and we can have a truly mobile Britain.
"That does mean in a spending round you have to ask better off people to make a contribution so you can protect the most vulnerable and help them have a better life."
Accusing the previous Labour leadership of having "bankrupted the country", he said: "It is difficult. I wish I wasn't having to do this, but we have to deal with the problems in front of us."
Later, at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith will give more details later on welfare reform.
(BMcN/GK)
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30 October 2006
Campaign to crack down on benefit cheats launched
The government has launched a campaign which aims to crack down on benefit cheats. The 'No Ifs, No Buts' campaign stresses the message that there are no excuses for committing benefit fraud. It is estimated that almost £1 billion was lost last year through benefit fraud, compared to £2 billion in 2001.
Campaign to crack down on benefit cheats launched
The government has launched a campaign which aims to crack down on benefit cheats. The 'No Ifs, No Buts' campaign stresses the message that there are no excuses for committing benefit fraud. It is estimated that almost £1 billion was lost last year through benefit fraud, compared to £2 billion in 2001.
29 October 2012
Child Benefit Cuts 'Excruciatingly Difficult'
Welfare reform measures which will see one million letters sent to UK households regarding child benefit cuts have been described by Nick Clegg as "excruciatingly difficult". Households in which at least one person earns more than £50,000 are to have the benefit reduced or stopped.
Child Benefit Cuts 'Excruciatingly Difficult'
Welfare reform measures which will see one million letters sent to UK households regarding child benefit cuts have been described by Nick Clegg as "excruciatingly difficult". Households in which at least one person earns more than £50,000 are to have the benefit reduced or stopped.
12 August 2011
'Claim Teen Students' Benefits, Says HMRC
Parents of teens who are carrying on with full time education next term need to act fast to ensure they continue to receive child benefits. The parents of any 16-year-olds who are remaining in education by full-time means will be entitled to claim and should let HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) know so that their child benefit doesn't stop in September.
'Claim Teen Students' Benefits, Says HMRC
Parents of teens who are carrying on with full time education next term need to act fast to ensure they continue to receive child benefits. The parents of any 16-year-olds who are remaining in education by full-time means will be entitled to claim and should let HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) know so that their child benefit doesn't stop in September.
18 December 2007
Customs Lose Seized Cocaine
'Contraband' that went missing from a secure lock-up after being seized by customs officers has now turned out to be cocaine. Police were called in after 1.5kg (3.3lbs) of the drug went missing from a HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) depot near to Coventry airport.
Customs Lose Seized Cocaine
'Contraband' that went missing from a secure lock-up after being seized by customs officers has now turned out to be cocaine. Police were called in after 1.5kg (3.3lbs) of the drug went missing from a HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) depot near to Coventry airport.
11 December 2007
More Than 6,000 Driver Details Lost
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency NI has lost personal details of more than 66,000 drivers in Northern Ireland, it has been reported. It is understood that the names and addresses of the motorists were contained on two computer discs, which have gone missing, along with vehicle registration marks, chassis numbers, makes and colours.
More Than 6,000 Driver Details Lost
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency NI has lost personal details of more than 66,000 drivers in Northern Ireland, it has been reported. It is understood that the names and addresses of the motorists were contained on two computer discs, which have gone missing, along with vehicle registration marks, chassis numbers, makes and colours.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
