MORE than 5,000 families in Bolton are set to lose tax credits, according to local MP David Crausby, pictured.

Families with children will lose an average of £511 a year because of changes to tax credits introduced this week. The analysis follows last month’s Budget and is on top of tax rises already introduced, like last year’s VAT rise which is costing a family with children an average of £450 per year.

Mr Crausby, Labour MP for Bolton North East, said: “Fa- milies on middle and low incomes here in Bolton are facing a tax credits bombshell from David Cameron and George Osborne. For all the Government’s talk about increasing the personal allowance, these independent figures show that while they may be giving with one hand they are taking much more away with the other.”