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Written question asked by Andrew Snowden (Conservative) on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 March 2026 (named day). It was answered by Dan Tomlinson (Labour) on Monday, 2 March 2026 on behalf of the Treasury.

Child Benefit

Question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many child benefit enquiries were opened as a result of data-sharing between HMRC and Student Finance England to detect changes in the young person’s further education status; over what timeframe they were opened; and what the outcomes were.

Answer

For 16–19-year-olds included on Child Benefit claims, eligibility is reliant on them being in full-time non-advanced education or approved training.

Data from Student Finance England helps HMRC identify when a young person included in a Child Benefit award may have moved into advanced education (degree level), where the claimant has not notified HMRC. In these circumstances, HMRC will conduct an enquiry with the customer to clarify their young person’s education status.

Based on operational management information, which is subject to change, HMRC conducted enquiries with around 3,000 Child Benefit claimants since late 2023/24, to clarify their child’s education status. Around 2,800 of the enquires resulted in decisions to end the Child Benefit award.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
115459
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Child benefit Revenue and Customs Student Finance England Information sharing
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk