§ 19. Jeff EnnisTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he is taking to increase the take-home pay of those in low paid work. [35763]
§ Dawn PrimaroloOver the last Parliament this Government introduced the following measures to make work pay: national minimum wage; working families tax credit and childcare tax credit; the 10 pence and 22 pence rates of income tax; and reforms to national insurance contributions.
As a result of these measures families with children in the poorest fifth of the population are on average £1,700 a year better off in real terms.
1430WFrom April 2003, the working tax credit will extend the principles of WFTC to low paid people without children.