MY WORK as Basingstoke's local MP includes helping residents who have experienced problems with the welfare benefits that they receive from the Government.

I am still receiving complaints regarding the tax credit system, despite significant changes having been made to resolve problems that have been experienced ever since this system was put in place.

Tax credits were designed to support people on low income, but for many Basingstoke families the reality has been uncertainty and confusion because the system is unable to take account of income changes, leaving families having to pay back money to the Government.

Despite the flaws in the system being the fault of the Government, it is families who are left suffering financial uncertainty.

In 2006/07, Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales had more than 186,000 tax credit enquiries, a rise of 21 per cent from the previous year. Eighty per cent of these enquiries were about overpayment. More than a third of people were overpaid by more than £2,500 and many reported that the recovery of overpayments caused their families financial difficulties, making them less likely to claim tax credits in the future.

It is unacceptable that a state welfare system causes this number of families financial hardship. We need to see a simpler tax system in this country rather than a system that gives with one hand and takes back with the other.

THIS week sees the State Opening of Parliament and the start of a new Parliamentary session.

The Queen will announce in her speech the new laws that we will debate and vote on over the coming year.

The mountains of legislation that are passed every year in Westminster and Brussels keep the country's lawyers fully employed.

Wouldn't it be refreshing if the Gracious Speech also included some laws that were being removed.

TO CONTACT Maria, call her office on 0207 219 5749, e-mail millerm@parliament.uk or write to her at The House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.

9:35am Friday 9th November 2007

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