Written question asked by David Laws (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 9 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 11 January 2006. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Friday, 20 January 2006 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

HM Treasury

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what responsibilities of his Department have been transferred to HM Treasury since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was established in June 2001. The Tax Credits Act 2002 transferred to HM Treasury responsibility for policy relating to child benefit and guardian's allowance, with the setting of the levels of those benefits and the rules of entitlement and this transfer took place on 1 April 2003. The Secretary of State's remaining functions relating to child benefit and guardian's allowance were transferred at the same time to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue. Additionally family credit, disability working allowance and certain payments for children in other benefits have been superseded by tax credits, administered by HMRC as a consequence of the Tax Credits Acts of 1999 and 2002.The Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 effected the transfer of the Contributions Agency and national insurance contributions policy from what is now the Department for Work and Pensions to the Inland Revenue now HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) from 1 April 1999.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 441 c1637-8W;441 c1637W; 41335
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Departmental responsibilities Department for Work and Pensions Treasury Revenue and Customs
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk