Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn hears parents’ fears over plans to cut working tax credits

The leader of the Labour Party spoke to parents and staff at a Crawley pre-school.
From left, Louise Taylor, Simon Cox, Jeremy Corbyn, Cathie ClarkFrom left, Louise Taylor, Simon Cox, Jeremy Corbyn, Cathie Clark
From left, Louise Taylor, Simon Cox, Jeremy Corbyn, Cathie Clark

Jeremy Corbyn visited Caterpillars Pre-School in Ditchling Road, Southgate, this morning (Wednesday November 11).

He spoke about his opposition to Tory proposals to cut working tax credits, benefits for people on a low income.

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Mum-of-three Louise Taylor said she feared the cut would mean she would not be able to afford to send her children on school trips.

Jeremy Corbyn at caterpillars pre schoolJeremy Corbyn at caterpillars pre school
Jeremy Corbyn at caterpillars pre school

She said: “It’s going to affect a lot of people.

“It’s hard to afford things now.

“He’s reassured us that hopefully things will get sorted.

“We won’t be struggling as much as we are now.”

From left, Jeremy Corbyn, Cllr Chris Oxlade, Caterpillar Pre-school owner Cathie ClarkFrom left, Jeremy Corbyn, Cllr Chris Oxlade, Caterpillar Pre-school owner Cathie Clark
From left, Jeremy Corbyn, Cllr Chris Oxlade, Caterpillar Pre-school owner Cathie Clark

Single father Simon Cox told the opposition leader he could not spend as much time with his son as he wanted because he had to work.

Mr Corbyn said: “Tax credits are a way to let people keep their heads above water.

“It doesn’t cost the public that much.”

Cathie Clark, Caterpillars Pre-School owner, said the benefits helped her study and eventually open the nursery in borough council-owned Southgate West Community Centre.

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Mr Corbyn said the credits worked as a ‘virtuous circle’ helping parents work and pay into a nursery where most of its profits went back to the state.

Cathie added: “Working tax credits are a good thing.

“A lot of my parents have been starting to go back to work.

“A lot of people said there was no point going back to under income support but this working tax credit makes people go back to work because they get an extra support with child care costs so they can put their children into nursery for the hours they work.

“It’s really hard to get a job which fits in to the hours of a pre-school.

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