§ 7. Ms Sally Keeble (Northampton, North)What assessment he has made of the impact of the Budget on families with average earnings of £16,000. [38248]
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Dawn Primarolo)A single earner couple with two children both under 11 will see a real increase in their disposable income of about £10 a week.
§ Ms KeebleIs my hon. Friend aware that the £16,000 litmus test was in fact set by the right hon. Member for Hitchin and Harpenden (Mr. Lilley) in his speech to the House on 18 March? Can she confirm that her figures show that all the average families in my constituency, who are, exactly as the right hon. Gentleman said,
with a couple of children and a mortgage, who contribute to a personal pension and own a car"— [Offcial Report, 18 March 1998; Vol. 308, c. 1312.]will find their personal finances more secure as a result of the Budget?
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Budget helps low-income families. The working families tax credit will mean that every family with a member working full time will be guaranteed an income of at least £180 a week. The Labour Government are tackling the problems—the barriers to moving from benefit into work and the problems of low pay—unlike the previous Government, who were prepared to see families consigned to poverty.