Child Tax Credits

I am stealing this post directly from the HE forums. If you or anyone you know have experienced this problem - which is actually very serious - people are being forced into debt and poverty through no fault of their own, but through the HMRC's failings, please do comment on the thread on the forums.

"Has anyone been denied child tax credits for young people 16+ remaining in full time home-based education?

We are hearing some alarming stories of families receiving demands for alleged over payments, despite having clearly indicated their child(ren)'s continuing home educated status on renewal applications.

The eligibility criteria should not exclude home educated children over 16, who are by definition still in full time education, but the child tax credit office is either unable or unwilling to provide a detailed explanation for the exclusion policy they are evidently now implementing to the detriment of home educating families.

If the regulations have been changed to allow such discrimination, HE families are being penalised retrospectively for errors on the part of CTC staff.

Hopefully this is something that Graham Stuart may be able to raise with the Minister as a matter of urgency, but anyone who has been affected by this issue might want to ask their local MP to investigate the matter on their behalf.

Clarity and consistency from public servants should surely not be too much to expect."

Guidelines Shenanigans - Chickens Coming Home to Roost

Finally the *draft guidelines* have been made public. They were *leaked* some time ago, but it seems that this time the *leak* has been more of a mains water burst than a teeny trickle. By accident or design we can only guess.

I've nothing new to say about them, preferring to treat them with the disdain that they and their author deserve, and anyway, Lisa has said all that needs to be said already, IMO.

Good to see that there are people out there who have the measure of those involved, and aren't afraid to (finally) come out and explain how the farcical process worked, to the rest of us.

Few things in life are certain, but you can be pretty damned sure that the truth will always out, and that chickens will eventually come home to roost. About bloody time.

Batting From The Other Side

Great to read Graham Stuart's speech in the house of commons earlier today; I was worried that a rush of power to the head had changed Graham Stuart's support and understanding of HE, but credit where credit is due, he listened, took note, researched and admitted he'd got it wrong - a rare thing indeed in a politician.

Very interesting to read the comments of old adversaries such as Barry Sheerman too.

Also good to see Local Authorities illegal interpretation of HE shown up and recorded in Hansard.

Starts at the bottom of column 1216 here

The State We Are In

This blog post says it all, this should not be happening in this country. Please read, and share far and wide. We owe John Hemming, and all those who dare to speak out about this, our support.