HC Deb 16 December 2002 vol 396 cc614-5W
Mr. Weir

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answers of 9 December (reference 86133 and 86134), whether a recipient of working families tax credit who marries prior to April 2003 and becomes responsible for children of his new wife can surrender his existing entitlement and make a new claim to include his new children. [87234]

Dawn Primarolo

No. The award would continue regardless of the change of circumstances. Working families tax credit is a fixed award and generally runs for the period of entitlement. However, a claimant can surrender an existing award and make a new claim following the birth of a baby, the adoption of a child or granting of a parental order for a surrogate child. The new tax credits will replace the current system from April 2003 and will be more responsive to changes in family circumstances.