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06/01/2005
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.
Mr Willetts said that many families are facing the prospect of huge cuts in income, as the Inland Revenue prepares to claim back excessive credits that were paid out by mistake.
Mr Willetts proposed introducing an amnesty for these families, as part of the launch of the party's new ideas for tackling poverty.
Speaking at the Centre for Social Justice, Mr Willets said: "The most urgent problem bringing much financial distress to families today is the process whereby the Inland Revenue is reclaiming supposed overpayments of Child Tax Credits. I can announce today that it is Conservative policy to offer an amnesty to families in respect of their Child Tax Credit in 2003/04 unless the overpayment was caused by fraud on the part of the claimant."
Mr Willetts emphasised that this was an essential new direction for the Conservatives: "It is easy to have a neat dualism between head and heart, efficiency and compassion, or Conservative and Labour," he said. "That was how politics appeared in the 1980s: efficient but heartless versus useless but well-intentioned. It is not like that any more. The essential part of Blair's Third Way was to claim that Labour didn't just stand for fairness but also for economic efficiency. Similarly, it is essential for the renewal of Conservatism that we are not just the Party that celebrates enterprise and economic success but also understand that we have obligations to the most vulnerable members of society."
Mr Willetts speech follows on from other recent policy announcements by the Conservatives on childcare and pensions, including plans to increase the state pension, as the party prepares for the next General Election, which is widely anticipated to take place in May, although it could take place any time before June 2006.
(KmcA/SP)
Mr Willetts said that many families are facing the prospect of huge cuts in income, as the Inland Revenue prepares to claim back excessive credits that were paid out by mistake.
Mr Willetts proposed introducing an amnesty for these families, as part of the launch of the party's new ideas for tackling poverty.
Speaking at the Centre for Social Justice, Mr Willets said: "The most urgent problem bringing much financial distress to families today is the process whereby the Inland Revenue is reclaiming supposed overpayments of Child Tax Credits. I can announce today that it is Conservative policy to offer an amnesty to families in respect of their Child Tax Credit in 2003/04 unless the overpayment was caused by fraud on the part of the claimant."
Mr Willetts emphasised that this was an essential new direction for the Conservatives: "It is easy to have a neat dualism between head and heart, efficiency and compassion, or Conservative and Labour," he said. "That was how politics appeared in the 1980s: efficient but heartless versus useless but well-intentioned. It is not like that any more. The essential part of Blair's Third Way was to claim that Labour didn't just stand for fairness but also for economic efficiency. Similarly, it is essential for the renewal of Conservatism that we are not just the Party that celebrates enterprise and economic success but also understand that we have obligations to the most vulnerable members of society."
Mr Willetts speech follows on from other recent policy announcements by the Conservatives on childcare and pensions, including plans to increase the state pension, as the party prepares for the next General Election, which is widely anticipated to take place in May, although it could take place any time before June 2006.
(KmcA/SP)
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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.
15 April 2005
Conservatives pledge to 'simplify' pension rules
The Conservatives have unveiled proposals to “reduce and simplify complex pensions rules” and promised to encourage more firms to provide pension schemes for workers.
Conservatives pledge to 'simplify' pension rules
The Conservatives have unveiled proposals to “reduce and simplify complex pensions rules” and promised to encourage more firms to provide pension schemes for workers.
30 May 2014
More Fall Into Debt Following HMRC Overpayments
The number of issues reported to Citizens Advice of people falling into debt as a result of repaying overpaid tax credits increased by 14 per cent in the 2013/14 tax year. Tax Credit debts arise when HMRC over-estimates a person’s entitlement to financial support and ends up having to recoup overpayments.
More Fall Into Debt Following HMRC Overpayments
The number of issues reported to Citizens Advice of people falling into debt as a result of repaying overpaid tax credits increased by 14 per cent in the 2013/14 tax year. Tax Credit debts arise when HMRC over-estimates a person’s entitlement to financial support and ends up having to recoup overpayments.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
