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HMRC Reassesses Child Benefit Suspensions Amid Residency Errors

11/11/2025

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HMRC Reviews Child Benefits

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reviewing the suspension of Child Benefit for about 23,500 claimants after using travel data to determine permanent residency.
Many families reported benefits halted due to short trips abroad.
The agency has apologized for errors.
The Treasury Select Committee has raised concerns, prompting HMRC to reassess cases and to allow claimants a month to respond.
Child Benefit is worth £26.05 weekly for the eldest child.

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Kim Johnson Demands Investigation

A trial by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) revealed flaws in using Home Office travel data for an anti-fraud crackdown, with 46% of flagged families still residing in the UK.
The pilot scheme aimed to save £17 million but misidentified many families as fraudsters.
Labour MP Kim Johnson has called for an investigation into the matter.
HMRC will cease using Dublin airport travel data for fraud inference and has updated its process to allow a month for responses before suspending payments.
Parents reported feeling criminalized and struggled to provide evidence of their innocence.

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HMRC Reviews Child Benefits

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reviewing the suspension of Child Benefit for about 23,500 claimants after using travel data to determine permanent residency.
Many families reported benefits halted due to short trips abroad.
The agency has apologized for errors.
The Treasury Select Committee has raised concerns, prompting HMRC to reassess cases and to allow claimants a month to respond.
Child Benefit is worth £26.05 weekly for the eldest child.

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