With frenzied expectations, the popular press awaited a revolt against the Labour Government by Labour rebels last week At issue was the Child Benefit Act introduced in August 1975 by Barbara Castle. The Act sought to replace the present combination of family allowance and tax concessions with a single payment to the woman. It was argued that this scheme would help the poor and single parent families who do not pay tax, and would make the woman less financially dependent END OUR STANDARD OF LIVING.' on her husband's wage.
Poverty come any measures which assist a woman's financial independence and ease the degrading poverty of thousands, the scheme at most meant an increase in family income of £7.50 for a family of five. children in the poorest sections of society. For families paying the standard rate of tax, the increase rate of tax would have faced a decrease in family income the ocean of family expenditure.
a basis for the state to increase its ence for women.
were to fall foul of Healey's axe.
the Castle plan would be sa David Ennals, the Social Services Secretary, finally announced that these principles would be put on ion of fl for the first child.
the loss of tax concessions and a considered dynamite. This excuse does not correspond to the facts.
Sexist and subsequent Sunday Times articles have revealed that no initial opposition to the child benefit the Cabinet was opposed to the the Cabinet to oppose the scheme with the story that the TUC was opposed to it!
the TUC leaders have openly exchild benefit scheme. Healey and Callaghan have therefore been forced to drop their sell the pay