NEARLY 3,000 families in Hyndburn will be an average of £1,250 a year better off because of a new government initiative, according to MP Greg Pope.

Mr Pope said that 2,959 families could benefit from the new Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC), which replaces family credit. He said the new tax credit means:

A guaranteed take-home pay of £200 a week for working families in Hyndburn.

These families will not have to pay income tax until they earn at least £235 a week.

Working families will get help with their child-care costs up to £70 a week for one child and up to £105 a week for two or more children.

Almost one million calls had been made to government response lines in the three months since the launch of the scheme.

Mr Pope said: "This is a well-earned boost the the incomes of hard-working families with children in Hyndburn. For the first time, work will always pay more than benefits.

"On average the 2,959 families in Hyndburn will be £24 a week better off.

"Some could be over £100 a week better off than on family credit, which the WFTC replaces.

"And they will no have to make the trip to the social security office to take home a living wage.

"This will not only improve the living standards of working families themselves but will provide a welcome stimulus to the local economy."

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