Hughes writes to British government over incorrect Child Benefit letters
Newry and Armagh Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes has written to the British government over a series of errors made by HMRC in issuing letters to families claiming Child Benefit stating their payments had been stopped.
It follows reports of several families recently receiving the letters because they had left the jurisdiction and not returned.
The correspondence was sent to British Treasury Minister Daniel Tomlinson and British Secretary of State Hilary Benn and signed by all seven Sinn Féin MPs.
Mr Hughes said the reality in each case is that the families had visited relatives overseas or gone on holiday and all had returned within the eight-week limit set by the British government.
Slamming HMRC for causing unnecessary distress, the Newry and Armagh MP said:
“The practice of HMRC monitoring citizens’ travel data is clearly flawed when it comes to citizens in the north. Increasing numbers of people travel on an Irish passport, a right protected under the Good Friday Agreement, and use Dublin Airport, far from the gaze or remit of HMRC or the British Home Office.
“As ever, the British government is oblivious to the realities of life in the north of Ireland and continues to make policy with no regard for people here.
“These letters, sent in error, have caused distress for families who have done nothing wrong and face losing support they are entitled to amid a cost of living crisis.”
Mr Hughes added: “I have written to HMRC questioning the practice of monitoring families’ travel when people are entitled to do so, regardless of what support they receive.
“It is equally troubling that their travel is being monitored so ineffectively and that innocent people are being threatened with an end to their Child Benefit payments.
“I have asked the Exchequer Secretary to the British Treasury and HMRC to immediately review their procedures to ensure no more families receive these letters in error. Sinn Féin has also raised this directly with British Secretary of State Hilary Benn.
“Innocent families are being wrongly threatened with the loss of essential support they are fully entitled to. HMRC must act immediately to end these errors and ensure no other family is put through this unnecessary stress.”
