Welfare Tax Credits
Treasury
Written answers and statements, 2 November 2009
Stephen Byers (North Tyneside, Labour)
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will amend the tax credit system to reflect the respective financial contribution by parents who have separated towards the cost of raising their children.
Stephen Timms (Financial Secretary, HM Treasury; East Ham, Labour)
The Government recognise the difficulties separated parents face when sharing responsibility for a child. There is no easy solution, which is why, ideally, parents should themselves reach an arrangement how the financial support provided through child tax credit and child benefit should be divided.
However, where parents cannot reach such an arrangement, the Government believe that the best outcome for the child is achieved by directing support to the family with the main responsibility for caring for the child. As with all aspects of the tax credits system, the issue of shared care is kept under review.