DELAYED PAYMENTS OF THE CHILD TAX CREDIT AND WORKING TAX CREDIT

Early day motion 1083, tabled 14 April 2003 by Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 36 members.

That this House notes with great concern the current administrative chaos that has delayed payments of the new tax credits, including for those who applied over six months ago; regrets that concerned applicants and honourable Members have experienced considerable difficulty in contacting the Inland Revenue via dedicated helplines; is further concerned that far fewer than the nine in 10 eligible families will actually claim the money to which they are entitled, even once the initial administrative problems are resolved; calls upon the Government to resolve these administrative problems as a matter of urgency, and in particular to prioritise payments to former recipients of working families tax credit and disabled person's tax credit; and further calls upon the Government to undertake a full investigation into the reasons for the unacceptable delays which have been experienced by far too many working families.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 29, Scottish National Party 2, Conservative 1, DUP 1, Labour 1, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.