Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Jim Shannon Excerpts
Tuesday 19th March 2024

(8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nigel Huddleston Portrait Nigel Huddleston
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I thank my hon. Friend. It was a pleasure, as always, to meet him in his constituency on Friday, where we discussed this matter and many others. The Government will launch a consultation in due course on how to end this unfairness by administering the HICBC on a household rather than an individual basis. Doing so would require significant reform of the tax system, as our tax infrastructure does not currently have a mechanism to consider household income, but the Government plan to end the unfairness for single-earner families in the child benefit system by administering the HICBC on a household rather than an individual basis by April 2026.

Jim Shannon Portrait Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)
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I thank the Minister for that. Child benefit income is an integral part of how families make their money last through the whole week. If there are any changes that will reduce it in any way, is it the Minister’s intention to ensure that those who have questions, difficulties or concerns have their concerns and wishes taken on board? It is really important that those facing financial changes can cope with the changes to come.