Working Families Tax Credit

HC Deb 24 June 1999 vol 333 c458W

18. Mr. Blizzard

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of families who will be eligible for the Working Families Tax Credit in its first year of operation. [87074]

Dawn Primarolo

We estimate that 1.4 million families will be eligible for the Working Families Tax Credit in 2000–01, the first full year of operation. These families will on average be £24 a week better off from WFTC alone, or £1,280 a year. Taken together with the reforms to tax, NICs and the largest ever increases in Child Benefit, the WFTC will lift 700,000 children out of poverty.

35. Mr. John Smith

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Working Families Tax Credit. [87093]

Dawn Primarolo

Work is proceeding to plan for the introduction of the Working Families' Tax Credit. From October, this new Tax Credit will provide a guaranteed minimum income of £200 for families with one member in full time work earning the National Minimum Wage.