§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the small business community in Scotland regarding the additional responsibilities placed on small businesses through Government fiscal policy, with special reference to the Working Families Tax Credit. [130547]
§ Dawn Primarolo[holding answer 17 July 2000]: The Inland Revenue has been consulting employer representatives, including those from the small business community, since May 1998 with the aim of minimising any additional costs to employers who pay tax credits through the payroll. This consultation process is ongoing.
The regulations relating to employer's involvement in Working Families Tax Credit reflect many of the comments received from the representative bodies and others during the consultation period.