Welsh Language Helpline

HC Deb 10 June 2003 vol 406 cc753-4W

Hywel Williams

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information has been provided to the public since last autumn through the Inland Revenue's Welsh language helpline; what the cost was; what information has been provided through the helpline specifically on working tax and child tax credit; and what proportion of expenditure this represented. [116827]

Dawn Primarolo

The Inland Revenue's Welsh Language Contact Centre opened in November 2002. It handles calls from customers who would like to conduct business through the medium of Welsh across the full range of the Inland Revenue's activities, including tax, national insurance and Tax Credits.

In a full year the cost of running the unit is estimated to be £300,000. The Contact Centre aims to provide the same level of information, guidance and support on working tax and child tax credit as the English language counterparts.

The cost of providing information and support about working tax and child tax credit in Welsh has not been recorded separately from the overall cost of operating the centre.