Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Helen Jones Excerpts
Tuesday 25th October 2016

(8 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jane Ellison Portrait Jane Ellison
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The hon. Lady is absolutely right to draw the House’s attention to the importance of prioritising vulnerable claimants. HMRC held a further drop-in for colleagues recently, on 19 October; it was attended by 15 Members, and a number of complaints and issues were raised, which we are on the way to resolving.

On restarting claims, the key is to get the right information. HMRC has taken back a vast number of cases, and I will say more about this tomorrow. The priority is to get the right information, to get claims started again as soon as the facts are established.

Helen Jones Portrait Helen Jones (Warrington North) (Lab)
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When the Minister wrote to me after I asked a previous question, she said:

“Amounts to be paid to the supplier are reduced if actual performance fails to meet standards set in the contract.”

Does that include penalties for withdrawing tax credits when they should not have been withdrawn?

Jane Ellison Portrait Jane Ellison
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The terms of the contract between HMRC and Concentrix are obviously in the public domain, and it is right that when performance is not as per the contract there are associated deductions, but I will be in a position to give the House more information about the contract in tomorrow’s Opposition day debate.