Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Kerry McCarthy (Labour). It was answered on Thursday, 11 May 2006 on behalf of the Treasury.

Tax Credits

Question: . When the Minister gave evidence to the Treasury Committee in February, she suggested that she might be thinking of placing HMRC staff in citizens advice bureaux to run specialist advice surgeries on tax credits. Will she update us as to where we are with those proposals? At the risk of exposing her to a conflict of interest, may I suggest that Bristol would be an ideal place for a pilot?

Answer: I could not possibly comment on whether Bristol would be a sensible place for a pilot. Areas of work between the department and the citizens advice bureau are continuing to develop. Tax credit staff can be in citizens advice bureaux, citizens advice bureaux can have access to hotlines and special advice for their staff, and can be located in the department’s inquiry centres to assist constituents who require that more detailed assistance from the citizens advice bureau.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 446 c495-6
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Civil servants Advisory services Overpayments Welfare tax credits Citizens' advice bureaux
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk