Written questions, answers and statements

Child Benefit

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Question for Treasury

UIN 13589, tabled on 7 February 2024

Question

Patricia Gibson
Scottish National Party
North Ayrshire and Arran
Commons

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will review the threshold for the high income child benefit charge.

Answer

Nigel Huddleston
Conservative
Mid Worcestershire
Commons

Answered on

19 February 2024

The Government is committed to managing the public finances in a disciplined and responsible way.

The High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) targets Child Benefit expenditure so that the Government is supporting most families, whilst ensuring the fiscal position remains sustainable. The threshold affects taxpayers who are generally on comparatively higher incomes.

In 2020-21, (the latest year that data is available), 99.7% of those who declared a liability for HICBC paid income tax at the higher rate or above, and 88% of Child Benefit claimants were unaffected by the HICBC.

As with all elements of tax policy, the Government keeps the HICBC under review.

Answered by

Treasury
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