Clause 6 - Notifications of changes of circumstances
Tax Credits Bill
Public Bill Committees, 15 January 2002, 6:15 pm
Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs, Conservative)
Clause 6 claims to set out the arrangements for notifying the board of changes in circumstances that affect tax credit entitlement. It is not entirely clear, however, whether the provision of such information will be wholly the job of the individual, or whether there will be any onus on the employer—an issue that I raised on Second Reading. Under the clause as drafted, it appears that the employer may indeed be required to provide such information. The amendment is necessary because the framework remains rather woolly. There is no apparent time limit on the provision of such information. Under our amendment, regulations could require that the board be notified
''within a period of 28 days''
when a claim ends.
The Liberal Democrat amendment, which would require that notice be given within three months, is similar. Doubtless the Government will propose a notice period of their own, with which we may all
agree. In any event, it is clear that a sensible notice period is needed.