HC Deb 10 June 2002 vol 386 cc842-3W
Mr. Willetts

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to publicise the increased children's tax credit for families in which a child has recently been born. [58764]

Dawn Primarolo

The Inland Revenue has arranged for application forms for children's tax credit to be placed in "Bounty packs" which are given to mothers at around the time of the birth of their baby. Information is also including in the pack that Bounty provide for mothers during pregnancy and for when their baby is about three to five months old. Additionally, a parent may get an application form by ringing the Inland Revenue helpline on 0845 300 1036 or downloading it from the Inland Revenue's website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk.

Mr. Willetts

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people he expects to start claiming(a) the child tax credit and (b) the working tax credit, in (i) April 2003, (ii) October 2003 and (iii) April 2004. [58753]

Dawn Primarolo

I refer the hon. Member to the "The Child and Working Tax Credits" in the series 'The Modernisation of Britain's Tax and Benefit System, Number 10, April 2002', which states that around 5¾ million families are expected to benefit from the child tax credit. Some of these families will also receive the working tax credit as will other low-income working households. Families with children receiving income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance will not need to make a separate claim for the new tax credits. During the transition period, they will continue to receive IS/JSA but with enhanced child premia rates.