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24/07/2003
Tories slam 'chronic' Brown over Inland Revenue
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary David Willetts has slammed what he described as “chronic mismanagement at the Treasury”, following the Treasury Select Committee’s damning indictment of failures at the Inland Revenue yesterday.
Mr Willetts said that Chancellor Gordon Brown was “living on borrowed time” and must take “ultimate responsibility” for blunders at the IR, in particular its processing of family tax credits.
He said: “It is clear the Inland Revenue is in a complete shambles. Relations between the responsible minister and senior Revenue officials appear to have completely broken down. Each blames the other – and then they both blame EDS.
“After six years as Chancellor, Gordon Brown has reduced a once great department to a sad state. He has given it ever more tasks in order to build up his power base and it has collapsed under the strain.
“The Revenue simply cannot cope with the burdens that have been imposed upon it. Around a million families are either still waiting for their tax credits to be paid or have not even bothered to apply in the first place.
“I therefore welcome the report’s conclusion that people who have lost out should be compensated quickly and in full. It is now time for the Government to set out their proposals for compensation.
“The tax credits fiasco has implications for the introduction of the Pension Credit in October. The main lesson the Government seems to have learnt is to keep the new Pension Credit as obscure as possible and hope that not too many people claim it. The Pension Credit is being given such a low profile that millions of eligible pensioners are likely to lose out.”
(GMcG)
Mr Willetts said that Chancellor Gordon Brown was “living on borrowed time” and must take “ultimate responsibility” for blunders at the IR, in particular its processing of family tax credits.
He said: “It is clear the Inland Revenue is in a complete shambles. Relations between the responsible minister and senior Revenue officials appear to have completely broken down. Each blames the other – and then they both blame EDS.
“After six years as Chancellor, Gordon Brown has reduced a once great department to a sad state. He has given it ever more tasks in order to build up his power base and it has collapsed under the strain.
“The Revenue simply cannot cope with the burdens that have been imposed upon it. Around a million families are either still waiting for their tax credits to be paid or have not even bothered to apply in the first place.
“I therefore welcome the report’s conclusion that people who have lost out should be compensated quickly and in full. It is now time for the Government to set out their proposals for compensation.
“The tax credits fiasco has implications for the introduction of the Pension Credit in October. The main lesson the Government seems to have learnt is to keep the new Pension Credit as obscure as possible and hope that not too many people claim it. The Pension Credit is being given such a low profile that millions of eligible pensioners are likely to lose out.”
(GMcG)
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11 August 2003
Inland Revenue highlights tax credits uptake
Of the six million families expected to benefit from the Child and Working Tax Credits, more than 5.7 million families are doing so already, according to the Inland Revenue (IR). Over 250,000 more tax credit awards were put in place over the last four weeks alone, the IR said.
Inland Revenue highlights tax credits uptake
Of the six million families expected to benefit from the Child and Working Tax Credits, more than 5.7 million families are doing so already, according to the Inland Revenue (IR). Over 250,000 more tax credit awards were put in place over the last four weeks alone, the IR said.
09 May 2007
£1.4bn set to be written off Tax Credits
The Public Accounts Committee has indicated that £1.4 billion looks set to be written off in the struggling Tax Credit scheme administered by HM Revenue and Customs.
£1.4bn set to be written off Tax Credits
The Public Accounts Committee has indicated that £1.4 billion looks set to be written off in the struggling Tax Credit scheme administered by HM Revenue and Customs.
22 June 2005
Blair apologies for tax credit 'distress'
Prime Minister Tony Blair has admitted that the tax credits scheme has caused “hardship and distress” to many families. However, Mr Blair said that, overall, the scheme had helped millions of families. His remarks follow the publication of two reports which heavily criticised the scheme.
Blair apologies for tax credit 'distress'
Prime Minister Tony Blair has admitted that the tax credits scheme has caused “hardship and distress” to many families. However, Mr Blair said that, overall, the scheme had helped millions of families. His remarks follow the publication of two reports which heavily criticised the scheme.
06 January 2005
Conservatives announce plans to tackle UK poverty
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, David Willetts, has proposed plans to introduce an amnesty for low income families who have received overpayments of government tax credits.
Conservatives announce plans to tackle UK poverty
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, David Willetts, has proposed plans to introduce an amnesty for low income families who have received overpayments of government tax credits.
30 March 2005
Government figures reveal drop in poverty figures
Fewer pensioners and children are living in poverty, new government figures have revealed. A report by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) showed that absolute pensioner poverty has dropped from 2.8 million in 1997 to 900,000 today, a drop of two-thirds.
Government figures reveal drop in poverty figures
Fewer pensioners and children are living in poverty, new government figures have revealed. A report by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) showed that absolute pensioner poverty has dropped from 2.8 million in 1997 to 900,000 today, a drop of two-thirds.
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