TAX CREDITS AND THE PARLIAMENTARY OMBUDSMAN

Early day motion 531, tabled 6 July 2005 by Lord Field of Birkenhead (Labour). Signed by 39 members.

That this House deeply regrets the hardship and discomfort being caused by HM Revenue and Customs' decision to claw back tax credits overpaid to 1.8 million families; recognises that the lack of a statutory test for the recovery of excess payments and overpayments of tax credits with the right of appeal to an independent tribunal is causing chaos to the lives of many constituents; and believes that, in the absence of such a test, honourable Members should submit all cases of disputed overpayments to the Parliamentary Ombudsman so that an independent body can monitor what is happening to very large numbers of constituents.

Signatures by party: Labour 27, Liberal Democrat 4, Conservative 3, Plaid Cymru 3, DUP 1, UUP 1.