Welfare Reform on the Web (Summer 2003): Social Security - UK

LOST IN A TAX CREDIT JUNGLE

P. Gosling

Public Finance, May 30th-June 5th 2003, p.18-21

Payment of the Child Tax Credit to claimants has been severely delayed by computer failures at the Inland Revenue and by the sheer volume of applicants.

REVENUE ADMITS SERIOUS BACKLOG ON CLAIMS

K. Goha

Financial Times, June 19th 2003, p.3

A quarter of a million people are still waiting to receive tax credits two months after the payments were due to begin, according to the Chairman of the Inland Revenue. Speaking before the treasury Committee, Sir Nicholas Montague said there had been "serious problems" with the computer system developed by EDS.

WHERE'S MY SAFETY NET?

P. J. White

Young People Now, June 4th-10th 2003, p.14-15

The article argues that the UK benefit system discriminates against young people. It discusses how this adversely impacts of their access to education and work.