§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the tax credit advertising campaign outlined in the Treasury press release dated 16 September is expected to cost, broken down into the costs of each element of the campaign. [74726]
§ Dawn PrimaroloOn 16 September the Inland Revenue launched a multi-media campaign to raise awareness of the changes to tax credits. This advertising campaign aims to encourage claimants of the existing tax credits and potential new claimants to make an application for Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit or both. The advertising in this launch phase is expected to run until March 2003.
Expenditure on advertising is currently estimated to he as follows Television ±£6 million Radio ±£0.7 million Press ±£2 million Online ±£0.3 million Total £9million Note:
All figures are inclusive of VAT
Other elements of the campaign include direct mailings to existing tax credits claimants, and a response line set up to handle telephone calls prompted by the advertising. The final cost will depend on the number of reminders issued and the demand for the response line.
§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which tax credit application forms(a) are available on the internet for download and (b) can be filled in on a computer screen; and how many electronic application forms have been submitted over the internet for each relevant tax credit during the last 12 months. [74728]
§ Dawn PrimaroloClaim forms and guidance notes for the Children's Tax Credit can be downloaded from the Inland Revenue's website at www. inlandrevenue.gov.uk.
For the new Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit, people can find out whether they qualify, get a detailed calculation and claim online at www. inlandrevenue.gov. uk/taxcredits.
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§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of(a) the new tax credit claim pack being sent to existing WFTC/DPTC and children's tax credit claimants and (b) other information available to prospective claimants, including leaflets NTC/1 and NTC/2. [74725]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Inland Revenue began issuing claim packs to existing recipients of Working Families' Tax Credit, Disabled Person's Tax Credit and Children's Tax Credit in mid August. The pack contains six separate items;
A covering letter
The Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit Claim form The notes to accompany the form
A publicity insert giving an overview of the timing and the process of making a claim
A leaflet from the Financial Services authority giving advice on bank accounts
A pre-paid return envelope
Other information for prospective claimants is as follows
Web-site
Comprehensive information is available on the Internet at www.inland revenue.gov.uk/taxcredits.
Leaflets and Posters
An introductory leaflet which sets out basic information on Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit will be made available to prospective claimants. This will be followed by a more detailed leaflet. Leaflets will be produced in Welsh and will be available in large print, audio and Braille. Summary information will also be made available in Bengali, Cantonese, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Turkish, Urdu and Vietnamese.
A range of A3 posters, one of which will be available in the languages above, are available to raise awareness of the changes and to promote some of the elements of tax credits, for example, help with childcare costs.
Information packs have been sent to individual members of the House of Commons, The Scottish Parliament and the devolved assemblies. Copies of the claim pack, the information pack the leaflets and posters will be placed in the Library.