Government is punishing single workers

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has criticised the Government over its selective anti-poverty policies that are disadvantaging certain single workers, many of whom live and work in Torbay.

Mr Sanders has claimed that single people working between 16-30 hours per week are caught in a Government poverty trap where they cannot claim income support because they work too much and they cannot receive tax credits as they have no children and do not work enough hours.

For an economy such as Torbay, with a reliance on casual and seasonal low-paid work, hundreds, if not thousands, of people could be affected and the system could be putting many other people off seeking employment.

Mr Sanders challenged Treasury Minister Stephen Timms MP to outline what support the Government gives to single people, the Minister stated that: “The national minimum wage will increase in October 2009…and will provide over £92 a week for a single person working 16 hours a week.”

Mr Sanders commented: “The way the Government has set up the benefit system is something of a shambles and it is single people on low incomes who are suffering. All too frustratingly the end message of this policy to people is to become unemployed or to have children, it is wholly irresponsible.”

“Most of these single workers will not be able to gain housing benefit, council tax benefit or any other help. Many would love to work full time and get the financial reward they deserve but in an economy such as Torbay, this is not always possible.”

“The Government should be rewarding those who do make responsible decisions and do make an attempt to work.”

One constituent approached Mr Sanders on this issue, highlighting the injustice of the current system. Despite getting more than the minimum wage in their part time job, the constituent could not afford a decent standard of living, saying: “If you work over 16 or under 30 hours per week, you are hung out to dry by this Government.”

Mr Sanders is now calling on the Government to boost support for single people through a more generous tax free allowance and a fairer benefit system.