Mothers and children under attack again

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.