Clause 12
6:45 pm
George Mudie (Leeds East, Labour)
That is a worry. I understand that we have had great trouble with the issue in the Treasury Committee with HMRC. They have caused mayhem and much trauma to people throughout the country. The Economic Secretary’s response is that tax people or collectors—Inland Revenue or whatever they are dressed up as—have no sophistication when it comes to getting the money back. They demand the money back and they want it back in their period, their time, and they do not regard the personal circumstances of the individuals concerned at all. We also found with tax credits that there is no right of appeal. Those are the two things.
I would be very concerned if the Economic Secretary is confirming that an overpayment in this area is going to be dealt with under the tax regulations as I described. Secondly, there will be no appeal against overpayments—that is the important thing. The Economic Secretary and the Department can pull back the money if they wish, if they feel that they have a case, but the customer should at least have the right to go to an appeal on the merits of the case.