Communities Minister launches project to maximise incomes of poorest families
18.06.04

Communities Minister Margaret Curran MSP today launches a new project aimed at ensuring Scotland's poorest families benefit fully from the Tax Credit system. Speaking in Glasgow at Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland's annual welfare rights conference the Minister announced funding for CPAG in Scotland to develop tax credit advice, information and training.

Margaret Curran said:

'I firmly believe that, for those who can, work is the best route out of poverty and recent changes in tax credits make this a much more realistic option for many more people. That's why I am investing £101,000 for support services so that lone parents, those on low incomes and other eligible people get the right advice and information on tax credits and claim the money they are entitled to.

'Child poverty has reduced by a quarter since 1997, but we still face big challenges because poverty is an everyday reality for far too many people. Together with agencies like CPAG Scotland, we can work to change this and improve people's lives.'

John Dickie, Head of CPAG in Scotland, welcomed the Executive's support for the Project.

'Tax Credits are a key plank in the Westminster and Holyrood governments' strategies for ending child poverty by 2020. It is absolutely vital that all those entitled to the credits receive them, and get their full entitlement.

'The new project will provide training, advice and support to front line advisers working with some of Scotland's most disadvantaged families' continued Mr Dickie. 'Without the right advice and support families may not get the full support they need. Our experience is that too often families end up facing confusion and hardship. In a week where Executive statistics have again highlighted the levels of deprivation still being experienced in Scotland the value of this new CPAG Tax Credits Project is clear. It will play an important part in increasing the incomes of those who most need it.'

for further information
John Dickie, Head of Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland
Mobile 0779 534 0618, Office 0141 552 3656

Notes:

• CPAG in Scotland promotes action for the relief, directly or indirectly, of poverty among children and families with children. We work to ensure that those on low incomes get their full entitlement to welfare benefits. In our campaigning and information work we seek to improve benefits and policies for low-income families, in order to eradicate the injustice of poverty
  
  
• Margaret Curran MSP will be addressing CPAG in Scotland's annual welfare rights conference between 10am and 10.30 am at Govan Mbeki Building, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow.
  
  
• Over 100 welfare rights, policy and other advisors are attending the conference on Benefits, Tax Credits and Poverty. Issues being discussed include the role of conditionality and sanctions in the benefit system, welfare to work for lone parents and pilot local housing allowance schemes.
  
  
• CPAG in Scotland are receiving a total of £89,000 from the Scottish Executive to run the one year Tax Credits Project. The Project will provide training, casework support, information and advice to frontline advisors. Issues covered will include tax credits entitlement, form completion, appeals, overpayments, repayments and maximising income by checking entitlement to other benefits. A further £12,000 is being made available to fully evaluate the Project.