21-08-03
Citizens’ Advice report confirms case for tax credit compensation – Barrett
John Barrett MP has renewed his call for
people who faced financial difficulty from the tax credit
fiasco to receive
compensation, following a critical report by the Citizens’ Advice
Bureau.
The Citizen’s Advice Bureau – Scotland (CAB)
quarterly social policy briefing catalogues a series of problems
which have arisen since the introduction in April of the
Government’s new tax credit system.
Their report “Taxing Times”, details how many
people have been left with financial problems directly because
of the delays the faced in receiving their credit payments.
Commenting, John Barrett MP said:
“This report confirms what a total shambles the introduction
of the new tax credits truly was. Over the last three months,
almost one in six benefit queries dealt with by one of the
CAB offices in my own constituency related to tax credits.
Worse still, the legacy of the Government’s mis-handling
lives on.
“Almost half a million people have faced financial
hardship because of the delays in receiving their tax credits.
As
the CAB points out, many people have been left struggling
with rent, council tax arrears, mortgage repayments and even
bank charges because of the Inland Revenue’s incompetence.
“The National Consumer Council and the Association
of Chartered Certified Accountants had already called for
compensation
to be paid to those who have suffered. However, despite saying
back in April that compensation might be paid, the Paymaster
General, Dawn Primarolo, has given little information as
to the amounts available and how people can go about claiming.
“This excellent report by the CAB confirms the case
for adequate financial compensation being paid out. It
is high time the Government made this a higher priority.”
ENDS