More than one thousand families in Na h-Eileanan an Iar are being hit by cuts to their tax credits – with more than 1,700 local children impacted.

Data from the House of Commons Library shows that nearly 200,000 families across Scotland will see changes to their tax credits as a result of the UK Government’s welfare policies.

Isles SNP MP Angus MacNeil, who voted against the Welfare Reform and Work Bill last month, said: “The Tories’ cruel cuts damage the working poor and vulnerable people.

“The majority of people in Na h-Eileanan an Iar affected by these cuts will be working.

“Welfare is not a lifestyle choice, as is being suggested by the Tories, it is a symptom of a low wage economy where people are not valued enough.  Until that fundamental economic reality changes it is wrong to cut such vital support.

“This is an attack on civil society, it’s an attack on our poorest and hard working families, and takes us back in time with cuts that will hit women and children the hardest.”

Tax Credit Statistics for Na h-Eileanan an Iar:

Recipient families receiving Child Tax Credits or Working Tax Credits as of April 2015:

Families in work receiving both CTC & WTC: 400

• Families in work receiving CTC only: 400
• Total families in work with children receiving Tax Credits: 800
• Total families with children receiving Tax Credits: 1,000 (36% of families with children)
• Families with no children on WTC: 300
• Total families on Tax Credits: 1,300