Responding to a report on the
new tax credits system published by the Public Accounts Committee
today, the Chief Executive of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG)
Kate Green said:
“Tax credits have helped millions of low-income families
and are a vital tool in the fight against child poverty, but problems
with the administration mean they have not always worked as successfully
as they should have done.
“Many families have struggled when money has been clawed
back by the Revenue, but a package of reforms announced last year
should radically reduce the scope for overpayments and limit the
impact of recovery on the poorest families. The Revenue must ensure
these reforms work successfully so that public confidence in the
tax credits system is fully restored.
“CPAG would like to see some further reforms including
a statutory right of appeal against overpayment decisions and
the option of face-to-face advice for claimants who need it, perhaps
by basing Revenue staff in local Jobcentre Plus offices.
“As we move forward from the problems of the past CPAG
urges politicians from all parties to commit to further investment
in tax credits as a way of lifting children out of poverty and
helping parents back to work.”
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