Part of National Insurance Contributions Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 2:15 pm on 21 October 2014.
David Gauke
The Financial Secretary to the Treasury
2:15,
21 October 2014
I thank the hon. Lady for her questions and, on behalf of the Committee, for not pursuing those questions that I managed to anticipate. She raised the issue of communications, which came up this morning. We acknowledge that that is an important point. HMRC has already started work with self-employed customers to inform them of the change. It is using existing communication forums and relationships with agents and accountancy organisations and other intermediary representative groups. In addition, as we heard, HMRC is working with DWP to develop its communications about this change. A lot of this is in the context of universal credit and, therefore, DWP is actively engaged in communicating with those likely to be affected.
I acknowledge—and HMRC and DWP recognise—the point made by the hon. Lady that not everyone can or will access information online. That is why HMRC is writing to all payers of class 2 national insurance contributions, to tell them that the changes are coming and will write again at the time of the changes. Both online and written guidance will be updated and key messages are always tested before they go out en masse, to ensure that they are clear.
I hope that provides a degree of reassurance. The hon. Lady is right to raise the issue of communication because it is important, but HMRC and DWP are focused on it.
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