Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that potential claimants are aware of the introduction of the two-child limit on Child Tax Credit and the child element of Universal Credit.

Claimants were alerted to the policy changes at the time they were announced by high level messaging on the GOV.UK website in 2015.

Tax credits claimants were informed about the upcoming policy change in a letter that was sent with their renewals notices between April and June 2016. A follow up flyer will go out in all new claims packs and renewals packs from April 2017.

In August 2016 high level amendments were made to the GOV.UK website’s information about Child Tax Credit to advise potential claimants about these changes.

Further details were published as part of a consultation in October 2016 and in response to the consultation in January 2017.

HM Revenue and Customs and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have also worked with representative bodies and stakeholders who will be able to advise claimants about the changes.

All tax credits products (for example, award notices, leaflets, and supporting notes) have been updated with a high level message outlining the new policy.

DWP will offer support to claimants through Jobcentres by trained staff as needed.