MORE than 3,650 families in Pendle will be an average of £1,250 a year better off in the New Year, says local MP Gordon Prentice.

He revealed that 3,655 families with children in Pendle will benefit from the new Working Families Tax Credit which means:

A guaranteed take home pay of £200 a week for working families

No net income tax to pay on earnings under £235 a week

Help with childcare costs of up to £70 a week for one child and up to £105 a week for two or more.

Mr Prentice described the deal as a well-earned boost to the incomes of hard-working families with children. For the first time, work would always pay more than benefits, he added. On average, those who qualified would be £24 a week better off and some could be over £100 a week better off than on family credit. They would no longer have to make the trip to the social security office to take home a living wage.

It would not only improve the living standards of working families but would provide a welcome stimulus to the local economy.

Anyone who thinks they might be entitled to the help should call 0800 597 5976.

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