Recommendation 38

Repayments of tax credit overpayments can compound hardship for people who may already be struggling. The evidence that some people are left unaware of these debts, which can be several years old, until they make a claim for Universal Credit, is particularly concerning. Despite HMRC’s assurances that people are routinely informed of overpayments, the evidence we have heard suggests that there are gaps in how this is being communicated.