§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if those categories of income excluded from taxation with effect from 6 April by the Finance Bill 1999 will be similarly excluded in the calculation of income for the purposes of the Working Families Tax Credit with effect from October 1999. [91835]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe rules for the categories of income which are to be excluded from the calculation of the Working Families Tax Credit build on those for Family Credit. They can be found in the Family Credit (General) Regulations 1987, and the draft Tax Credits (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulation 1999 published on 5 July.
§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what date staff in the Inland Revenue inquiry offices will be trained to make better-off calculations for inquirers considering taking up employment; and if the Inland Revenue will advise Family Credit claimants whether they would be better off waiting to claim Working Families Tax Credit rather than renewing or making a claim for Family Credit for the first time. [91833]
§ Dawn PrimaroloAdvice on Family Credit and transition to WFTC will continue to be available from the Family Credit Unit Helpline. The training to enable existing IR staff, including those in IR inquiry offices, to tell potential applicants how much WFTC might be due if they made a claim will begin on 31 August.
§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Inland Revenue will first accept and begin to examine claims for the Working Families Tax Credit and the Disabled Person's Tax Credit. [91831]
§ Dawn PrimaroloWorking Families Tax Credit and Disabled Person's Tax Credit awards will begin from 5 October. The Inland Revenue will accept applications and have procedures in place in advance of this date to ensure that payments are made as soon as possible after 5 October.
§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to ensure that before employers are involved in the administration of the Working Families Tax Credit and Disabled Person's Tax Credit in April 2000, the lessons learned from the practical experience with the new forms and procedures for those credits in Autumn 1999 will be taken into account. [91834]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe joint Inland Revenue/Benefits Agency Project Team will be drawing on the practical experience of the October 1999 changes in finalising the arrangements for April 2000. Inland Revenue officials will continue to consult employer representatives on the details of the scheme.
395W
§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what date training for staff will be completed in the Inland Revenue inquiry offices on the working families tax credit and the disabled person's tax credit. [91832]
§ Dawn PrimaroloHelp and advice will continue as now, to be available in Benefits Agency and Employment Service offices. The initial training of all Inland Revenue staff who may expect to deal with inquiries about working families tax credit and disabled person's tax credit will take place in September and October 1999 so as to ensure that sufficient numbers of trained staff are in position to deal effectively with such inquiries.