SNP Say Government Is Indiscriminately Accusing Low Income Families of Benefit Fraud

The Scottish National Party has called on the UK government to stop the “unethical and discriminatory” practice of sending phishing letters to low income families accusing them of committing fraud and then cutting off benefits without warning. HMRC employs Concentrix to identify cases of benefit fraud on a results-only basis which appears to have led to the company sending random “phishing letters” to families in receipt of tax credits accusing them of fraudulently claiming the benefit.  

There has been a recent increase in the number of people reporting that their benefits have then been stopped without warning. Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP, the SNP’s spokesperson for Social Justice, has written to Chancellor Philip Hammond to request a meeting to discuss HMRC’s contract with Concentrix and what action can be taken to ensure that families entitled to tax credits are not erroneously accused of fraud.

Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP, SNP spokesperson for Social Justice, said:“All across Scotland, low and middle income families have been sent letters accusing them of fraud and have had their tax credits stopped for absolutely no reason - the Tories face urgent questions over this disgraceful practice.“HMRC contracts Concentrix to pursue cases of benefit fraud, but with millions of low and middle income families in receipt of tax credits, these indiscriminate accusations, with no basis in reality are causing distress and hardship. The UK government needs to rein-in Concentrix, and stop these unethical and discriminatory practices."

Image: Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP,