Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2020 to Question 48488, on Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, what discussions he has had with with representatives from (a) the Information Commissioner's Office, (b) the National Audit Office and (c) Action Fraud on his decision not to advise holders of National Insurance numbers when payments have been made on their behalf under that scheme and to which employer.

HMRC will comply with their obligations under Article 15 of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) to provide information relating to an identified natural person, including information relating to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, upon request. Subject Access Requests are processed on a case by case basis depending on the data requested and applying any relevant exemptions.

HMRC do not routinely issue employees with information about returns or claims made by their employers. Employees can report concerns to HMRC if they suspect their employer is abusing the scheme.