To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the (a) total and (b) average value is of consolatory payments made since April 2003 to tax credits claimants who have appealed against a decision of the HM Revenue and Customs. (180842)

The circumstances in which HM Revenue and Customs will make compensation payments to its customers are explained in the Department’s fact sheet, ‘Complaints and Putting Things Right’, which is available at:

www.hmrc.gov.uk

For the number and value of compensation payments made in 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 January 2007, Official Report, column 427W to the hon. Member for St. Albans (Anne Main). The number and value of compensation payments made in 2006-07 and from April to December 2007 is shown in the following table.

The average payment made over the period April 2003 to the end of December 2007 was around £60.00.

Separate details of consolatory payments made to customers who have appealed against a decision of the Department are not available.