To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in (a) Essex and (b) Castle Point have been (i) overpaid and (ii) underpaid tax credits (A) once, (B) twice and (C) three or more times in each of the last five years. (277192)

The following table provides a snapshot of information on the number of families in Essex and in Castle Point constituency, with one, two and three or more underpayments or overpayments of tax credits between 2003-04 and 2006-07. This is based on families who had a 2006-07 tax credit award and lived in Essex and in Castle Point constituency as at 31 August 2006. Information for 2007-08 is not yet available at parliamentary constituency level, further information can be found at:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/tc-delay-07-08.htm