Changes to the way tax credits are handed out could see more than 300 working couples in Barnsley lose up to £4,000 per year, local MP Dan Jarvis has warned.

The changes will come into force from April 6, 2012 – and will affect couples who are in part-time work and have children.

The government's new rules state that couples that currently earn less than £17,700 will need to increase the number of hours they work from a minimum of 16 to 24 hours per week, or they will lose all their working tax credit of £3,870 per year.

Said Barnsley Central MP Jarvis: "It is deeply unfair and proves, yet again, that the government are out of touch with parents feeling the squeeze and struggling to juggle work and family life."