Election 2010 Party Manifestos: Tax Credits

Election 2010 Party Manifestos: Tax Credits

At long last, the election has finally been called for 6th May. The big question now is: how are we going to vote?

There are lots of reasons why people make the choices they do when they vote. Some traditionally stick to one party, some look at specific issues, and some the bigger picture. What we do know is that ‘floating voters’ (the ones who don’t have a traditional party allegiance) are the voters who make a significant difference. Interestingly recent studies show that these ‘floating voters’ are more likely to be women then men.

So to try and help those of you who don’t yet know how to vote, but reckon Tax Credits is a big enough issue to sway your vote, (and let’s face it with an overpayment of nearly £4k I’m going to be swayed by the guy who says ‘we’ll write that off’!), TCC thought we would try to establish a clear picture from the main parties to inform you of their positions.

In July 2009, Graham wrote to the three main Party leaders, asking them to tell us what their election manifestos contained with regard to Tax Credits and Tax Credit overpayments. Here’s the letter we sent to each Party leader

Response:-

Read the Lib Dem Party response

Read the Conservative Party response

Read the Labour Party response

More...

Estimates of fraud and error across all benefits

Estimates of fraud and error across all benefits in 2008/09

For 2008/09, it is estimated that 2.2 per cent, or £3.0bn, of total benefit expenditure was overpaid due to fraud and error.

The estimate for the percentage overpaid in 2008/09 is higher than the preliminary estimate for 2008/09 published in May 2009. The estimated percentage of benefit expenditure overpaid has increased from 2.0% to 2.2% and in value terms from £2.7bn to £3.0bn.

For 2008/09, it is estimated that 0.9 per cent, or £1.2bn, of total benefit expenditure was underpaid due to fraud and error.

The estimates for the percentage and value of benefit expenditure underpaid in 2008/09 have remained at the same level as the preliminary estimate for 2008/09 published in May 2009.

~~~~
Ed. What they still place errors in with fraud. So if you or they make a mistake you are classed as Fraud

Life inside the beleaguered HMRC

Life inside the beleaguered HMRC

Morale within the department is poor, employees complain

Former employees of under-fire HM Revenue and Customs service have contacted the BBC

News website to describe life inside its offices.

The news that the details of 25 million recipients of Child Benefit payments have gone missing has shone a spotlight on HMRC.

The agency collects and administers direct and indirect taxes; and pays and administers Child Benefit, Child Trust Fund and Tax Credits. It is also responsible for environmental taxes, enforcing the National Minimum Wage and recovery of student loans.

Formed in 2005 following a merger between HM Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue, it has proved controversial since its inception.

But now it faces intense criticism after junior officials were blamed for sending computer discs with personal details of all UK families through the post - only for the discs to disappear.

MORE...

Ode To Tax Credits (III)

Ode To Tax Credits (III)

Also discover what the Government SAY* thay will do if elected.

* May be this is just more talk to try get votes.