Chancellor chastised by Jewish groups for “anti-family” tax credit changes

Jewish groups have criticised the government’s welfare reforms that will penalise larger families, in an open letter signed with other faith groups.

The Board of Deputies and the Interlink Foundation, which represents the ultra-Orthodox community, have chastised Chancellor George Osborne for his “anti-family” proposals, which limit tax credits to the first two children.

“We understand and respect the need for a more sustainable fiscal policy, however this measure should be urgently reconsidered in the view of the likely economic and social impact on families and their children,” it says.

Charedi women have an average of 6-7 children each, and the proportion of strictly-Orthodox households in Hackney claiming Working Families Tax Credit is almost ten times the borough average.