Member of Parliament for South Shields
Shields Gazette
Real Help For Hard Working Families In South Shields
These are tough times right across the world including here in South Shields, but thanks to this governments commitment to not repeat the mistakes of previous recessions where families and communities were left to cope on their own.
This Labour government is giving real help to many families here in South Shields. As MP for the town, I am determined that local residents have access to the extra support for families, senior citizens, people looking for jobs and homeowners.
From this month, Child Tax Credits will rise by £150 a year and working tax credits by £90 a year. Basic rate tax payers will get a tax cut worth £145 a year, this will help many families in South Shields.
The State pension is going up by £4.55 to £95.25. This increase of 5% will help more than 15,000 senior citizens in South Shields. Pension Credit will also increase by nearly 5%. This winter was one of the coldest for many years. So it was more important than ever that this year there was the Winter Fuel Payment of £250 for the over 60's and £400 for the over 80's.
David Miliband said "I am determined to continue to do all that I can to help senior citizens in South Shields. I am delighted that pensions have increased, and I will continue to support initiatives such as free eye tests, free prescriptions and free bus travel for senior citizens in our town. I will always represent those who served our country to the very best of my ability"
David Miliband has also stated that hard working families will not be left on their own. The Government has ensured that if someone loses their job, there will be support from day one. People will not be left behind, there is now practical help ranging from one to one support and advice to free new training courses available. The Government is also working with mortgage lenders to stop repossessions in the current climate and there is also a new Mortgage Protection scheme, so mortgage payments can be changed to make paying bills reasier.
Children have always been at the heart of Labour's policies. The Government brought forward the increase in Child Benefits, traditionally paid at this time of year to the beginning of 2009 to help hard working families in South Shields. Child Benefit for the first child has risen by 6.4% to £20.00 and by 5.2% for subsequent children.
David Miliband said "Locally many families have benefited from the increase in Child Benefit and Child Tax Credits and I know this has made a big difference. It is important that hard working families remain at the forefront of the governments thinking, and I will continue to fight for South Shields families in Parliament"