Press release:
Mothers and children under attack again
PACUB, the group campaigning against cuts to child benefit, condemns
news that the only support for children may be taxed, or a new two tier
system introduced. Both options mean even more cuts, as families
continue to feel the huge strain of the recession, and following budget
2013 that saw the fourth cut in a row to child benefit. Many families
are left wondering again how they will cope.
"We are still
reeling from this year's cuts, and already the Government is discussing
publicly how they can take more money off families in the next Budget,
it's unbelievable," says spokesperson Niamh Ui Cheallaigh. "Something
has to give, so many families are struggling to make ends meet, and are
already wondering how they will cope with a property tax, water charges,
and whatever the government dreams up next. Families have dug as deep
as they can and have no more to give. We say: please think before you
act, there are huge consequences to either option, and we would urge the
government to consider these before introducing either measure. Many
mothers would find it unfeasible to continue working if they lost
most/all of their child benefit, and we fear it would create poverty
traps too. Could a fair system be introduced? PACUB doesn't think so.
Both of these options do not take into account the outgoings or
particular circumstances of each individual family, and it will hit
young families particularly hard as they try to cope with the huge
expense of bringing up young children."
PACUB looks forward to
reading the report in full, and having an opportunity to provide input
on the options under consideration, as they directly affect all our
children.
