HC Deb 18 September 2003 vol 410 c1070
19. Hugh Bayley (City of York)

What assessment she has made of the impact of the Government's tax credits and benefits changes on women's income. [130837]

The Minister for Women and Equality (Ms Patricia Hewitt)

Changes in tax credits and benefits between 1997 and October 2003 will mean that, on average, men gain £1.58 a week and women gain £14.34.

Hugh Bayley

I am glad that the Government share my view that, when it comes to the welfare of children, it is important to transfer money from the wallet to the purse. What proportion of those receiving the new tax credits are women and what proportion are men? Now that we have had the opportunity to overcome the teething problems of the introduction of the new tax credits, can my right hon. Friend tell me how many men and women in the UK now receive them?

Ms Hewitt

More than 85 per cent. of child tax credit awards are being paid to women. Of course, that reflects the choices that parents themselves are making. While I agree with my hon. Friend's general point, I should add that there is a growing minority of families in which the father is the main carer of the child. It is extremely important that he should also have access to child tax credits and child benefit. We are now paying out child tax credits and other family tax credits to millions of families throughout the United Kingdom, all of whom have warmly welcomed this increase in their family incomes.