HC Deb 09 February 2001 vol 362 cc778-9W
Mr. Maclean

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many calls have been received by the Inland Revenue's Working Families Tax Credit helpline; and what his assessment is of its capacity to deal effectively with its work load. [149377]

Dawn Primarolo

In the last three months of 2000, the Working Families Tax Credit helpline answered around 135,000 calls per week on average.

Mr. Maclean

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to improve the service offered by the Inland Revenue's Working Families Tax Credit helpline, and if he will make a statement on its effectiveness. [149376]

Dawn Primarolo

The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) helpline gives advice to WFTC applicants and their representatives. As with any helpline, the aim is continuous improvement in the light of customer feedback. Customer surveys regularly show that callers find WFTC helpline staff courteous, knowledgeable and helpful.

Mr. Maclean

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to streamline Inland Revenue paperwork involved in the administration of working families' tax credit. [149371]

Dawn Primarolo

WFTC/DPTC forms are reviewed on an on-going basis.

Mr. Maclean

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that advice given by staff on the Inland Revenue's working families' tax credit helpline is accurate and consistent. [149800]

Dawn Primarolo

All Working Families Tax Credit helpline operators are given comprehensive training, and are therefore in a good position to give clear and informed guidance to callers.