140,000 on benefit get pounds 20k a year; ROW.Byline: By REBECCA EVANS Rebecca Evans (born Aug. 19, 1963) is a Welsh soprano from the village of Pontrhydyfen near Neath. She studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and has performed regularly at the Welsh National Opera; the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and Bayerische AROUND 140,000 households receive more in benefits than the average take-home wage, figures revealed last night. The families claim over pounds 20,00 a year tax-free - more than the average salary, which is pounds 19,126 after tax. Ministers claim many of these households are getting the payouts to cope with severe disabilities. But Matthew Elliot, of the Tax-Payers' Alliance, hit out: "At a time when ordinary taxpayers are facing redundancy and repossession The taking back of an item that has been sold on credit and delivered to the purchaser because the payments have not been made on it. For example, if an individual fails to render prompt payments on a new car, the car might be subject to repossession by the finance company, , and pensioners struggle on under pounds 100 per week, this benefit bill is far too high." Economist Ruth Lea Ruth Jane Lea works in conservative British public policy research bodies. She is currently the Director of the Centre for Policy Studies and Global Vision, but is perhaps better known for being Head of the Policy Unit at the Institute of Directors, a post which she held between added: "Frankly, it's immoral." The figures were uncovered by Tory work and pensions spokesman Chris Grayling. He said: "Most hardworking people will find these figures astonishing." But employment minister Tony McNulty explained: "The money received by these households in the majority of cases include disability benefits and premiums." CAPTION(S): FURIOUS Chris Grayling |
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