Asked by: Graham Allen (Labour - Nottingham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 12 January 2016 to Question 21278, what differentiates the types of tax credit claim adjustment cases worked by Concentrix and by HM Revenue and Customs.
Answered by Jane Ellison
Since the beginning of the contract between SYNNEX-Concentrix and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), in November 2014, to 11 September 2016, Concentrix has adjusted around 103,000 cases. HMRC does not hold information on how many are full adjustments or partial adjustments. The total savings in Annually Managed Expenditure have been £284.1 million since commencement of the contract in November 2014.
As of 12th September 2016 there are currently 2197 applications for Mandatory Reconsiderations of a Concentrix tax credit decision awaiting determination.
HMRC has received the following volume of Mandatory Reconsiderations relating to tax credit decisions made by Concentrix since January 2016:
January 2016 | 653 |
February 2016 | 571 |
March 2016 | 409 |
April 2016 | 1047 |
May 2016 | 77 |
June 2016 | 276 |
July 2016 | 426 |
August 2016 | 1205 |
Up to 12th September 2016 | 464 |
The total number of Mandatory Reconsiderations received is about 1.6% of all Concentrix decisions made.
The number of independent tribunal cases that have been received challenging Mandatory Reconsiderations of tax credit decisions by Concentrix in each month since the contract began have been:
November 2014 | 0 |
December 2014 | 0 |
January 2015 | 0 |
February 2015 | 0 |
March 2015 | 3 |
April 2015 | 1 |
May 2015 | 5 |
June 2015 | 7 |
July 2015 | 3 |
August 2015 | 2 |
September 2015 | 22 |
October 2015 | 50 |
November 2015 | 40 |
December 2015 | 38 |
January 2016 | 71 |
February 2016 | 98 |
March 2016 | 46 |
April 2016 | 35 |
May 2016 | 57 |
June 2016 | 22 |
July 2016 | 32 |
August 2016 | 23 |
Up to 12th September 2016 | 7 |
The total number of tribunal appeals received is about 0.08% of all decisions Concentrix made in the same period.
HMRC and Concentrix have the same target for processing Mandatory Reconsiderations. Both HMRC and Concentrix inform customers that they have 30 days to submit a Mandatory Reconsideration after receipt of their award notice. After receipt of the request for a Mandatory Reconsideration, HMRC and Concentrix aim to deal with them in 42 days. This time period includes any time that it takes to request and receive further information from the claimant.
Concentrix currently reviews a number of tax credit case types on HMRC's behalf. Specifically Concentrix looks at cases where there is a potential undeclared partner, or potential inaccuracies with work and hours and/or child care charges. HMRC staff carry out a wider range of checks based on a different set of parameters and risk factors.
Since the beginning of the contract, the average time taken by Concentrix to conduct Mandatory Reconsiderations for tax credits decisions is 23 days.
The shortest time for dealing with Mandatory Reconsiderations was 6 days in 2014/15, 1 day in 2015/16 and 5 days in 2016/17.
The longest time for dealing with Mandatory Reconsiderations was 261 days in 2014/15, 330 days in 2015/16, 122 days in 2016/17.
As discussed during the responses on the floor of the House on 14 September regarding this issue, HMRC is no longer passing new cases to Concentrix. Concentrix is instead working to improve the service it provides to claimants and to resolve outstanding cases.
Asked by: Graham Allen (Labour - Nottingham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many independent tribunal cases have been brought to challenge mandatory reconsiderations of tax credits by Concentrix in each month since that company has been under contract with his Department.
Answered by Jane Ellison
Since the beginning of the contract between SYNNEX-Concentrix and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), in November 2014, to 11 September 2016, Concentrix has adjusted around 103,000 cases. HMRC does not hold information on how many are full adjustments or partial adjustments. The total savings in Annually Managed Expenditure have been £284.1 million since commencement of the contract in November 2014.
As of 12th September 2016 there are currently 2197 applications for Mandatory Reconsiderations of a Concentrix tax credit decision awaiting determination.
HMRC has received the following volume of Mandatory Reconsiderations relating to tax credit decisions made by Concentrix since January 2016:
January 2016 | 653 |
February 2016 | 571 |
March 2016 | 409 |
April 2016 | 1047 |
May 2016 | 77 |
June 2016 | 276 |
July 2016 | 426 |
August 2016 | 1205 |
Up to 12th September 2016 | 464 |
The total number of Mandatory Reconsiderations received is about 1.6% of all Concentrix decisions made.
The number of independent tribunal cases that have been received challenging Mandatory Reconsiderations of tax credit decisions by Concentrix in each month since the contract began have been:
November 2014 | 0 |
December 2014 | 0 |
January 2015 | 0 |
February 2015 | 0 |
March 2015 | 3 |
April 2015 | 1 |
May 2015 | 5 |
June 2015 | 7 |
July 2015 | 3 |
August 2015 | 2 |
September 2015 | 22 |
October 2015 | 50 |
November 2015 | 40 |
December 2015 | 38 |
January 2016 | 71 |
February 2016 | 98 |
March 2016 | 46 |
April 2016 | 35 |
May 2016 | 57 |
June 2016 | 22 |
July 2016 | 32 |
August 2016 | 23 |
Up to 12th September 2016 | 7 |
The total number of tribunal appeals received is about 0.08% of all decisions Concentrix made in the same period.
HMRC and Concentrix have the same target for processing Mandatory Reconsiderations. Both HMRC and Concentrix inform customers that they have 30 days to submit a Mandatory Reconsideration after receipt of their award notice. After receipt of the request for a Mandatory Reconsideration, HMRC and Concentrix aim to deal with them in 42 days. This time period includes any time that it takes to request and receive further information from the claimant.
Concentrix currently reviews a number of tax credit case types on HMRC's behalf. Specifically Concentrix looks at cases where there is a potential undeclared partner, or potential inaccuracies with work and hours and/or child care charges. HMRC staff carry out a wider range of checks based on a different set of parameters and risk factors.
Since the beginning of the contract, the average time taken by Concentrix to conduct Mandatory Reconsiderations for tax credits decisions is 23 days.
The shortest time for dealing with Mandatory Reconsiderations was 6 days in 2014/15, 1 day in 2015/16 and 5 days in 2016/17.
The longest time for dealing with Mandatory Reconsiderations was 261 days in 2014/15, 330 days in 2015/16, 122 days in 2016/17.
As discussed during the responses on the floor of the House on 14 September regarding this issue, HMRC is no longer passing new cases to Concentrix. Concentrix is instead working to improve the service it provides to claimants and to resolve outstanding cases.
Asked by: Graham Allen (Labour - Nottingham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many applications for mandatory reconsideration of a tax credits decision are awaiting determination by Concentrix.
Answered by Jane Ellison
Since the beginning of the contract between SYNNEX-Concentrix and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), in November 2014, to 11 September 2016, Concentrix has adjusted around 103,000 cases. HMRC does not hold information on how many are full adjustments or partial adjustments. The total savings in Annually Managed Expenditure have been £284.1 million since commencement of the contract in November 2014.
As of 12th September 2016 there are currently 2197 applications for Mandatory Reconsiderations of a Concentrix tax credit decision awaiting determination.
HMRC has received the following volume of Mandatory Reconsiderations relating to tax credit decisions made by Concentrix since January 2016:
January 2016 | 653 |
February 2016 | 571 |
March 2016 | 409 |
April 2016 | 1047 |
May 2016 | 77 |
June 2016 | 276 |
July 2016 | 426 |
August 2016 | 1205 |
Up to 12th September 2016 | 464 |
The total number of Mandatory Reconsiderations received is about 1.6% of all Concentrix decisions made.
The number of independent tribunal cases that have been received challenging Mandatory Reconsiderations of tax credit decisions by Concentrix in each month since the contract began have been:
November 2014 | 0 |
December 2014 | 0 |
January 2015 | 0 |
February 2015 | 0 |
March 2015 | 3 |
April 2015 | 1 |
May 2015 | 5 |
June 2015 | 7 |
July 2015 | 3 |
August 2015 | 2 |
September 2015 | 22 |
October 2015 | 50 |
November 2015 | 40 |
December 2015 | 38 |
January 2016 | 71 |
February 2016 | 98 |
March 2016 | 46 |
April 2016 | 35 |
May 2016 | 57 |
June 2016 | 22 |
July 2016 | 32 |
August 2016 | 23 |
Up to 12th September 2016 | 7 |
The total number of tribunal appeals received is about 0.08% of all decisions Concentrix made in the same period.
HMRC and Concentrix have the same target for processing Mandatory Reconsiderations. Both HMRC and Concentrix inform customers that they have 30 days to submit a Mandatory Reconsideration after receipt of their award notice. After receipt of the request for a Mandatory Reconsideration, HMRC and Concentrix aim to deal with them in 42 days. This time period includes any time that it takes to request and receive further information from the claimant.
Concentrix currently reviews a number of tax credit case types on HMRC's behalf. Specifically Concentrix looks at cases where there is a potential undeclared partner, or potential inaccuracies with work and hours and/or child care charges. HMRC staff carry out a wider range of checks based on a different set of parameters and risk factors.
Since the beginning of the contract, the average time taken by Concentrix to conduct Mandatory Reconsiderations for tax credits decisions is 23 days.
The shortest time for dealing with Mandatory Reconsiderations was 6 days in 2014/15, 1 day in 2015/16 and 5 days in 2016/17.
The longest time for dealing with Mandatory Reconsiderations was 261 days in 2014/15, 330 days in 2015/16, 122 days in 2016/17.
As discussed during the responses on the floor of the House on 14 September regarding this issue, HMRC is no longer passing new cases to Concentrix. Concentrix is instead working to improve the service it provides to claimants and to resolve outstanding cases.
Asked by: Graham Allen (Labour - Nottingham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many applications for mandatory reconsideration of a tax credits decision have been made to Concentrix in each month since January 2016.
Answered by Jane Ellison
Since the beginning of the contract between SYNNEX-Concentrix and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), in November 2014, to 11 September 2016, Concentrix has adjusted around 103,000 cases. HMRC does not hold information on how many are full adjustments or partial adjustments. The total savings in Annually Managed Expenditure have been £284.1 million since commencement of the contract in November 2014.
As of 12th September 2016 there are currently 2197 applications for Mandatory Reconsiderations of a Concentrix tax credit decision awaiting determination.
HMRC has received the following volume of Mandatory Reconsiderations relating to tax credit decisions made by Concentrix since January 2016:
January 2016 | 653 |
February 2016 | 571 |
March 2016 | 409 |
April 2016 | 1047 |
May 2016 | 77 |
June 2016 | 276 |
July 2016 | 426 |
August 2016 | 1205 |
Up to 12th September 2016 | 464 |
The total number of Mandatory Reconsiderations received is about 1.6% of all Concentrix decisions made.
The number of independent tribunal cases that have been received challenging Mandatory Reconsiderations of tax credit decisions by Concentrix in each month since the contract began have been:
November 2014 | 0 |
December 2014 | 0 |
January 2015 | 0 |
February 2015 | 0 |
March 2015 | 3 |
April 2015 | 1 |
May 2015 | 5 |
June 2015 | 7 |
July 2015 | 3 |
August 2015 | 2 |
September 2015 | 22 |
October 2015 | 50 |
November 2015 | 40 |
December 2015 | 38 |
January 2016 | 71 |
February 2016 | 98 |
March 2016 | 46 |
April 2016 | 35 |
May 2016 | 57 |
June 2016 | 22 |
July 2016 | 32 |
August 2016 | 23 |
Up to 12th September 2016 | 7 |
The total number of tribunal appeals received is about 0.08% of all decisions Concentrix made in the same period.
HMRC and Concentrix have the same target for processing Mandatory Reconsiderations. Both HMRC and Concentrix inform customers that they have 30 days to submit a Mandatory Reconsideration after receipt of their award notice. After receipt of the request for a Mandatory Reconsideration, HMRC and Concentrix aim to deal with them in 42 days. This time period includes any time that it takes to request and receive further information from the claimant.
Concentrix currently reviews a number of tax credit case types on HMRC's behalf. Specifically Concentrix looks at cases where there is a potential undeclared partner, or potential inaccuracies with work and hours and/or child care charges. HMRC staff carry out a wider range of checks based on a different set of parameters and risk factors.
Since the beginning of the contract, the average time taken by Concentrix to conduct Mandatory Reconsiderations for tax credits decisions is 23 days.
The shortest time for dealing with Mandatory Reconsiderations was 6 days in 2014/15, 1 day in 2015/16 and 5 days in 2016/17.
The longest time for dealing with Mandatory Reconsiderations was 261 days in 2014/15, 330 days in 2015/16, 122 days in 2016/17.
As discussed during the responses on the floor of the House on 14 September regarding this issue, HMRC is no longer passing new cases to Concentrix. Concentrix is instead working to improve the service it provides to claimants and to resolve outstanding cases.
Asked by: Graham Allen (Labour - Nottingham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how long, on average, Concentrix has taken to conduct mandatory reconsiderations for tax credits; and how long the (a) shortest and (b) longest such mandatory reconsiderations took in each year since that company has been contracted by his Department.
Answered by Jane Ellison
Since the beginning of the contract between SYNNEX-Concentrix and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), in November 2014, to 11 September 2016, Concentrix has adjusted around 103,000 cases. HMRC does not hold information on how many are full adjustments or partial adjustments. The total savings in Annually Managed Expenditure have been £284.1 million since commencement of the contract in November 2014.
As of 12th September 2016 there are currently 2197 applications for Mandatory Reconsiderations of a Concentrix tax credit decision awaiting determination.
HMRC has received the following volume of Mandatory Reconsiderations relating to tax credit decisions made by Concentrix since January 2016:
January 2016 | 653 |
February 2016 | 571 |
March 2016 | 409 |
April 2016 | 1047 |
May 2016 | 77 |
June 2016 | 276 |
July 2016 | 426 |
August 2016 | 1205 |
Up to 12th September 2016 | 464 |
The total number of Mandatory Reconsiderations received is about 1.6% of all Concentrix decisions made.
The number of independent tribunal cases that have been received challenging Mandatory Reconsiderations of tax credit decisions by Concentrix in each month since the contract began have been:
November 2014 | 0 |
December 2014 | 0 |
January 2015 | 0 |
February 2015 | 0 |
March 2015 | 3 |
April 2015 | 1 |
May 2015 | 5 |
June 2015 | 7 |
July 2015 | 3 |
August 2015 | 2 |
September 2015 | 22 |
October 2015 | 50 |
November 2015 | 40 |
December 2015 | 38 |
January 2016 | 71 |
February 2016 | 98 |
March 2016 | 46 |
April 2016 | 35 |
May 2016 | 57 |
June 2016 | 22 |
July 2016 | 32 |
August 2016 | 23 |
Up to 12th September 2016 | 7 |
The total number of tribunal appeals received is about 0.08% of all decisions Concentrix made in the same period.
HMRC and Concentrix have the same target for processing Mandatory Reconsiderations. Both HMRC and Concentrix inform customers that they have 30 days to submit a Mandatory Reconsideration after receipt of their award notice. After receipt of the request for a Mandatory Reconsideration, HMRC and Concentrix aim to deal with them in 42 days. This time period includes any time that it takes to request and receive further information from the claimant.
Concentrix currently reviews a number of tax credit case types on HMRC's behalf. Specifically Concentrix looks at cases where there is a potential undeclared partner, or potential inaccuracies with work and hours and/or child care charges. HMRC staff carry out a wider range of checks based on a different set of parameters and risk factors.
Since the beginning of the contract, the average time taken by Concentrix to conduct Mandatory Reconsiderations for tax credits decisions is 23 days.
The shortest time for dealing with Mandatory Reconsiderations was 6 days in 2014/15, 1 day in 2015/16 and 5 days in 2016/17.
The longest time for dealing with Mandatory Reconsiderations was 261 days in 2014/15, 330 days in 2015/16, 122 days in 2016/17.
As discussed during the responses on the floor of the House on 14 September regarding this issue, HMRC is no longer passing new cases to Concentrix. Concentrix is instead working to improve the service it provides to claimants and to resolve outstanding cases.
Asked by: Graham Allen (Labour - Nottingham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many tax credit claims have been stopped as a result of checks by Concentrix since the beginning of its contract with his Department; and what the total saving was to the public purse resulting from the stopping of such claims.
Answered by Jane Ellison
Since the beginning of the contract between SYNNEX-Concentrix and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), in November 2014, to 11 September 2016, Concentrix has adjusted around 103,000 cases. HMRC does not hold information on how many are full adjustments or partial adjustments. The total savings in Annually Managed Expenditure have been £284.1 million since commencement of the contract in November 2014.
As of 12th September 2016 there are currently 2197 applications for Mandatory Reconsiderations of a Concentrix tax credit decision awaiting determination.
HMRC has received the following volume of Mandatory Reconsiderations relating to tax credit decisions made by Concentrix since January 2016:
January 2016 | 653 |
February 2016 | 571 |
March 2016 | 409 |
April 2016 | 1047 |
May 2016 | 77 |
June 2016 | 276 |
July 2016 | 426 |
August 2016 | 1205 |
Up to 12th September 2016 | 464 |
The total number of Mandatory Reconsiderations received is about 1.6% of all Concentrix decisions made.
The number of independent tribunal cases that have been received challenging Mandatory Reconsiderations of tax credit decisions by Concentrix in each month since the contract began have been:
November 2014 | 0 |
December 2014 | 0 |
January 2015 | 0 |
February 2015 | 0 |
March 2015 | 3 |
April 2015 | 1 |
May 2015 | 5 |
June 2015 | 7 |
July 2015 | 3 |
August 2015 | 2 |
September 2015 | 22 |
October 2015 | 50 |
November 2015 | 40 |
December 2015 | 38 |
January 2016 | 71 |
February 2016 | 98 |
March 2016 | 46 |
April 2016 | 35 |
May 2016 | 57 |
June 2016 | 22 |
July 2016 | 32 |
August 2016 | 23 |
Up to 12th September 2016 | 7 |
The total number of tribunal appeals received is about 0.08% of all decisions Concentrix made in the same period.
HMRC and Concentrix have the same target for processing Mandatory Reconsiderations. Both HMRC and Concentrix inform customers that they have 30 days to submit a Mandatory Reconsideration after receipt of their award notice. After receipt of the request for a Mandatory Reconsideration, HMRC and Concentrix aim to deal with them in 42 days. This time period includes any time that it takes to request and receive further information from the claimant.
Concentrix currently reviews a number of tax credit case types on HMRC's behalf. Specifically Concentrix looks at cases where there is a potential undeclared partner, or potential inaccuracies with work and hours and/or child care charges. HMRC staff carry out a wider range of checks based on a different set of parameters and risk factors.
Since the beginning of the contract, the average time taken by Concentrix to conduct Mandatory Reconsiderations for tax credits decisions is 23 days.
The shortest time for dealing with Mandatory Reconsiderations was 6 days in 2014/15, 1 day in 2015/16 and 5 days in 2016/17.
The longest time for dealing with Mandatory Reconsiderations was 261 days in 2014/15, 330 days in 2015/16, 122 days in 2016/17.
As discussed during the responses on the floor of the House on 14 September regarding this issue, HMRC is no longer passing new cases to Concentrix. Concentrix is instead working to improve the service it provides to claimants and to resolve outstanding cases.
Asked by: Graham Allen (Labour - Nottingham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reasons there is a difference between the 30-day and the 42-day limit for HM Revenue and Customs and Concentrix to reply to mandatory reconsideration requests.
Answered by Jane Ellison
Since the beginning of the contract between SYNNEX-Concentrix and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), in November 2014, to 11 September 2016, Concentrix has adjusted around 103,000 cases. HMRC does not hold information on how many are full adjustments or partial adjustments. The total savings in Annually Managed Expenditure have been £284.1 million since commencement of the contract in November 2014.
As of 12th September 2016 there are currently 2197 applications for Mandatory Reconsiderations of a Concentrix tax credit decision awaiting determination.
HMRC has received the following volume of Mandatory Reconsiderations relating to tax credit decisions made by Concentrix since January 2016:
January 2016 | 653 |
February 2016 | 571 |
March 2016 | 409 |
April 2016 | 1047 |
May 2016 | 77 |
June 2016 | 276 |
July 2016 | 426 |
August 2016 | 1205 |
Up to 12th September 2016 | 464 |
The total number of Mandatory Reconsiderations received is about 1.6% of all Concentrix decisions made.
The number of independent tribunal cases that have been received challenging Mandatory Reconsiderations of tax credit decisions by Concentrix in each month since the contract began have been:
November 2014 | 0 |
December 2014 | 0 |
January 2015 | 0 |
February 2015 | 0 |
March 2015 | 3 |
April 2015 | 1 |
May 2015 | 5 |
June 2015 | 7 |
July 2015 | 3 |
August 2015 | 2 |
September 2015 | 22 |
October 2015 | 50 |
November 2015 | 40 |
December 2015 | 38 |
January 2016 | 71 |
February 2016 | 98 |
March 2016 | 46 |
April 2016 | 35 |
May 2016 | 57 |
June 2016 | 22 |
July 2016 | 32 |
August 2016 | 23 |
Up to 12th September 2016 | 7 |
The total number of tribunal appeals received is about 0.08% of all decisions Concentrix made in the same period.
HMRC and Concentrix have the same target for processing Mandatory Reconsiderations. Both HMRC and Concentrix inform customers that they have 30 days to submit a Mandatory Reconsideration after receipt of their award notice. After receipt of the request for a Mandatory Reconsideration, HMRC and Concentrix aim to deal with them in 42 days. This time period includes any time that it takes to request and receive further information from the claimant.
Concentrix currently reviews a number of tax credit case types on HMRC's behalf. Specifically Concentrix looks at cases where there is a potential undeclared partner, or potential inaccuracies with work and hours and/or child care charges. HMRC staff carry out a wider range of checks based on a different set of parameters and risk factors.
Since the beginning of the contract, the average time taken by Concentrix to conduct Mandatory Reconsiderations for tax credits decisions is 23 days.
The shortest time for dealing with Mandatory Reconsiderations was 6 days in 2014/15, 1 day in 2015/16 and 5 days in 2016/17.
The longest time for dealing with Mandatory Reconsiderations was 261 days in 2014/15, 330 days in 2015/16, 122 days in 2016/17.
As discussed during the responses on the floor of the House on 14 September regarding this issue, HMRC is no longer passing new cases to Concentrix. Concentrix is instead working to improve the service it provides to claimants and to resolve outstanding cases.
Asked by: Graham Allen (Labour - Nottingham North)
Question
To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, whether the Church of England plans to respond to the report by Professor Sue Proctor on abuse at Kendall House, Gravesend, published in July 2016.
Answered by Caroline Spelman
In July 2016 the Rt Revd Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham and then lead bishop for safeguarding, apologised unreservedly to all former residents who continue to be affected by their experiences at Kendall House. The statement can be seen at https://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2016/07/statement-on-kendall-house-review.aspx
The Church of England accepted the review and welcomed its recommendations. The Church’s National Safeguarding Team will include those recommendations in their autumn review and plan to publish an annual review in 2017, which will report on progress made against them. Every diocese within the Church of England has received the report and in line with the review’s findings are considering the implications of this for their own diocesan safeguarding arrangements, past and present.
Asked by: Graham Allen (Labour - Nottingham North)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what programmes her Department supports related to children and religious fundamentalism; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Justine Greening
If there is a face of poverty, it is often a young face, and young people are at the heart of DFID’s agenda. We combat poverty, and religious fundamentalism, by investing in young people and their future, which is why our focus on education is so important.
Asked by: Graham Allen (Labour - Nottingham North)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 25 May 2016 to Question 37663, if he will provide the hon. Member for Nottingham North with (a) details and (b) copies of the assessment which was used to assess the threats from emerging capabilities to nuclear submarines.
Answered by Philip Dunne
The Government takes its responsibilities for maintaining a credible independent nuclear deterrent extremely seriously and continually conducts assessments to ensure that the credibility and standards for operational effectiveness will continue to be met. I am withholding further details as publication would or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.