Press Releases
TAX CREDITS COMPANY FAILING FAMILIES WITH "CATALOGUE OF INCOMPETENCE"
Pete Wishart MP, Member of Parliament for Perth & North Perthshire, has blasted the company employed by HMRC to administer the tax credits system for what he has described as a "catalogue of incompetence" which is failing families.
Speaking today, Mr Wishart said:
"I have become increasingly concerned about the number of constituents contacting me having had their Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit radically reduced or stopped altogether with no warning and little explanation given as to why.
"Tax credits are, by their nature, an important part of a family's weekly budgeting so if they are take away suddenly like this it can leave people in a terribly difficult position with no money available to pay rent or buy food.
"What is making matters worse is that extremely often these are sanctions that are being wrongly imposed by Concentrix, the company that has been contracted by HMRC to administer the tax credits system.
"Not only that, but it is far too difficult and takes too long to get mistakes rectified and payments reinstated.
"Helpline numbers are not being answered, there is no direct MP hotline as their is for HMRC enquiries and the turn around time for getting mistakes corrected is 40 days or more.
"And that is after the folk affected have gathered and provided, at their own expense, the evidence required to prove that Concentrix were in error.
"The incompetence is Concentrix's but the failure of uncaring UK Tory Government ministers to take effective action to resolve this situation is utterly damning.
"I do not understand how they can sit on their hands while this mess continues to create misery for so many who are supposed to be receiving help from the system.
"Along with my SNP colleagues in Westminster, I will continue to expose the failings of this company and highlight the need for action to be taken to defend and support those who have been badly let down by this catalogue of incompetence."
Back to All Press Releases