Robert Marshall-Andrews

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MP urges tax credit take-up

The Chancellor, Gordon Brown, announcing in his last Budget speech that a new system of tax credits will come into effect in April 2003. These will include a new Child Tax Credit that will replace all income-related payments for children with a single credit paid directly to the main carer, often the mother.

The government calculates that 85% of all families with children may be entitled to receive the Child Tax Credit with families on lower incomes getting the larger amounts. However, parents must apply in order to get Child Tax Credit.

Bob Marshall-Andrews said, “I wanted to ensure that local families had all the information they need about the Child Tax Credit so they can decide whether to apply. I am very grateful to Headteathers of a number of local schools, located in my constituency, that have agreed to distribute my letter, via pupils, to parents informing them of the Child Tax Credits. I have delivered to those schools, this week, some 6700 copies of my letter.”

The text of the letter,

Dear Parent

A new system of Child Tax Credits comes into effect in April 2003 to support families with children.

The new system is designed to bring together all income-related payments for families with children, and will be paid directly to the main carer - usually the mother.

The government estimates that 85% of all families with children may be entitled to receive the Child Tax Credit with families on low incomes getting higher payments.

If you are already receiving Working Families Tax Credit; Disabled Person's Tax Credit or Children's Tax Credit, you should receive an application form automatically from the Inland Revenue. I would urge you to fill this form out as soon as you receive it and send it back quickly. For help in filling it out, ring the Inland Revenue help line on 0800 500 222. If you are receiving Income Support or JSA, you will be moved across to the new system automatically at a later date.

The new Child Tax Credit will replace the existing Children's Tax Credit, and will be payable to more families. If you are already receiving one of the tax credits, a new form will be sent to you automatically by the Inland Revenue.

If you do not receive any tax credit at the moment, you still may be entitled to receive the Child Tax Credit. To request a form, ring the Inland Revenue help line on 0800 500 222.

If you have access to the internet, you can fill out a form on the Inland Revenue website: www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/taxcredits. The website will show whether your family could gain from the Child Tax Credit, and how much you are likely to get.

Many thanks for your time

The following schools are distributing the letter: Temple School, The Hundred of Hoo Comprehensive School, The Rochester Grammar School for Girls, Balfour Infant, Balfour Junior, Bligh Junior, Cliffe Woods Primary, Cuxton Community Junior, Delce Junior, English Martyrs' Catholic Primary, Gordon Junior, Hoo St Werburgh Primary, St James' CE Primary, St John's CE School, St Margaret's CE Primary, St Matthew's CE Infant and Stoke Primary