Benefits and tax credits must be simpler for claimants

Commenting on the report of the Work and Pensions Committee on ‘Benefits Simplification’, published today, Child Poverty Action Group’s Chief Executive, Kate Green, said:

“We welcome the Committee’s report and believe that the proposed Welfare Commission must be given serious consideration as it may succeed where the Benefits Simplification Unit has not in simplifying provision of vital financial support for poor families.

“The ‘massive simplification’ that the Committee calls for must be approached with caution. Claimants badly need to have their experience of making benefit claims simplified, but both benefits and tax credits must still respond to the complexity of people’s lives, or the full needs of some of the poorest families may not be met.

“We strongly support the Committee’s recommendation that the Social Security Advisory Committee be given an extended remit to include tax credits. This would help prevent some of the problems that have beset the tax credit system and improve how it links with the benefits system. The Treasury should welcome the opportunity to benefit from the full expertise of the Committee, which will help improve the vital contribution tax credits make to the Government’s commitment to end child poverty.”

Notes to Editors

• CPAG is a member of the Campaign to End Child Poverty

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