§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much compensation has been paid in total to people who have been adversely affected by the problems with the NIRS2 computer system, broken down by year. [35287]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe delay in the implementation of NIRS2 caused arrears of work in both the Inland Revenue and the then DSS. These arrears have been managed through an integrated recovery plan. The compensation costs paid to customers as a result of the delays are:
Million Year paid IR DSS Total 1998–99 21.5 — 21.5 1999–2000 19.5 2.5 22.0 2000–01 14.0 1.3 15.3 2001–02 2.8 0.7 3.5 Total 57.8 4.5 62.3 The compensation costs paid in 2000–01 have previously been overstated. The actual amounts paid from the National Insurance Fund are set out.
§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer since the NIRS2 computer system first became operational, how many people have received national insurance contribution rebates after the date they were due; how much money has been paid to these people in compensation; and what his best estimate is of the total value of late rebates that are outstanding [35285]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Government have paid over £57.8 million in compensation for late rebate payments since 1998. This is for compensation paid, on behalf of individuals, to pension providers for the late payment of NI age-related rebates for 1997–98.
Rebate payments, together with any compensation due, are paid directly as an aggregate amount to the pension provider, not to the individual scheme member. The 590W information in relation to these payments is not held in a way that makes it possible to quantify the number of people whose rebates for 1997–98 were paid late. It is not possible to estimate the total value of late rebates still outstanding, as this is partly dependent on the extent to which all relevant information for 1997–98 has been received from employers.