ALMOST 400 people in North Cornwall have signed an online petition calling on Conservative MP Scott Mann to oppose plans to cut tax credits.

Campaign group 38 Degrees, which organised the petition, says 28% of children in North Cornwall are living in poverty and that it is likely to get worse as a result of the cuts to tax credits, proposed by Chancellor George Osborne. The proposed curb would reduce the earnings level for the withdrawal of tax credits for a household from £6,420 to £3,850. It is estimated the move will save £4.4-billion a year.

Claire, a North Cornwall resident, told 38 Degrees: “Tax credits basically allow us to pay the bills. After my husband’s heart surgery a few years ago, he hasn’t been able to work as he used to, so I have taken on low paid, full time work to support our four children.

“I earn £9,500 a year and I work full time, but it’s not enough to cover the bills. Tax Credits are a lifeline. We’re not scroungers, irresponsible parents, or freeloaders. We’re ordinary people who have had some bad luck, some unavoidable health issues, that have left us struggling and doing our best to raise our family.”

Amy Lockwood, campaigns manager at 38 Degrees, said: “People in North Cornwall are waiting for their MP to stand up for local working families. How would Scott Mann be able to look a constituent in the eye after these cuts?

“Osborne’s plans will simply punish people on low wages who work hard, but still don’t have enough to make ends meet. It will push many families to breaking point.

“But Scott Mann has an opportunity to help stop this. That’s why hundreds of local people are asking him to join the rising tide of opposition to Osborne’s plans.”

The petition has so far been signed by 380 people in North Cornwall and more than 2,000 across Cornwall.

Mr Mann said tax credits were being ‘reformed’ so that, ‘instead of trapping people into welfare dependency, it rewards work and helps people out of poverty and stay out of poverty as well. The Government is doing that while ensuring that the welfare system supports the elderly, the vulnerable and disabled people’.

He added: “UK employment is now at 73.6%, the highest since records began, long-term unemployment is down by 25% on the year, and youth unemployment is well below pre-recession levels.

“In North Cornwall specifically, the total number of Job Seekers claimants is 87 lower than in September 2014, proving that even on a constituency level, this Government’s plans are helping people.

“Average wages have risen by 3%, and from next April, a new National Living Wage will be compulsory for people over 25 and will increase to £9/hour by 2020.

“This Government will also be lowering council house rents and giving parents 30 hours a week free childcare.”