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Tax Credit Overpayments

My hon. Friend is right to continue to press me on that point. I am well aware of the strength of feeling shown by those who have signed the early-day motion and in other representations that have been made. The issue that he raises on the impact of the policy is similar to a separate issue that has been raised with me about notional entitlement. I do not know if he has come across that. It is similar in that there is a change of circumstances and people's tax credits change, but they do not notify anybody of that change of circumstances. That has been raised by the advisory group that works with us on this matter. I am looking at that and I will look at the matter that my hon. Friend has raised as I do so. It is important that we underline the need for people to complete the forms and respond promptly. If they do not, great difficulty is caused to HMRC and in due course to the individuals themselves. In my last couple minutes, I will pick up on a couple of other points that my hon. Friend made. There is already an appeals process. If people think that their entitlement is wrong, they can appeal to the tribunals service, which is independent. There is no statutory right of appeal against a decision to recover an overpayment where there is no argument about the level of entitlement. However, HMRC suspends recovery of an overpayment when a customer disputes an overpayment or appeals against the decision that identified an overpayment. When a customer is unhappy with the decision of HMRC to seek recovery of an overpayment, they can ask the adjudicator or the ombudsman, who are both independent, to review it. I will look at the point that my hon. Friend has just made about the Freedom of Information Act. That is a new one on me. If he sends me the details of the two cases, I will ensure that they are checked to see whether the good cause discretion should have been exercised. The sitting having continued for two and a half hours after half-past Two o'clock, it was adjourned without Question put.