§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many self-employed people have been unable to make their national insurance contributions due to the operating problems of the NIRS2 computer system. [109447]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe vast majority of 3.3 million self-employed people have been able to pay National Insurance Contributions without difficulty. The periodic collection of self-employed contributions, by monthly direct debit or quarterly billing arrangements, have been in place since March 1999.
We have experienced some difficulties by new and current customers, under 5,000 people are currently affected and urgent action is being taken to resolve these cases.