Liberal Democrats are rallying to stop plans aimed at penalising up to one million single parents who move in with a new partner.

The party has said changes to Universal Credit – dubbed the ‘Love Tax’ – could affect up to a million low income working single parents.

It comes weeks after the Conservative government was dashed in its attempts to cut tax credits for families.

The IFS has said latest planned cuts would mean a single parent could be lose out by around £1,000 a year.

Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords have launched a bid, due be debated on Wednesday, to scrap the cuts to Universal Credit.

Tim Farron said:

“The Conservatives claim they want to support two parent families, yet their pillaging of Universal Credit will mean that people single parents who find a new partner will actually be penalised.

“It is tantamount to a Love Tax. Imagine being a single parent, working on a low income, then finally finding happiness with someone and realising you’re going to lose over £1,000-a-year as a result.

“We stopped the original attack on tax credits and we will stop this. The Government should not use this as an excuse to cut their support.

“That is why they must rethink these brutal cuts to Universal Credit.”