Dai Havard

Labour Party | Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney

10p Tax Compensation Agreed:

The principle of providing payments to compensate those people not protected when the 10p tax rate was ended has now been agreed. As reported in last week’s Express, I have been pressurising the government for this and the principle has now been agreed. The timing and the exact details of how the payments are to be made are still to be finalised and I am still pressing to see the necessary changes made as quickly as possible but the principle is agreed. I also am pressing to see that the compensation is full compensation and continues into the next financial year also. One major benefit that could come from those discussions is for younger workers. The referral to the Low pay Commission of possible changes to the Minimum Wage for young people is overdue but a welcome step. The Tories and Liberals opposed tax Credits and Winter Fuel Payments and the Tories famously opposed the Minimum Wage; all of these are being used to support and improve living standards in our communities and it was wrong not to protect the three groups left out. Getting that right is still a work in progress but the principle is now in place to do it. My advice for anyone in work is to check with your employer how they have worked out your pay and look to see also if you qualify for any allowances and tax credits. Working Tax Credit can be claimed by those without children as well as those with children. Workers over 25, working 30 hours or more a week with an income less than £12,740 if single and £17,160 joint income if a couple can claim and there are more benefits for those with children. If you think you qualify call the helpline 0845 300 3900 or claim on line at www.hrmc.gov.uk/taxcredits.