Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will introduce landline telephone numbers for calls to HM Revenue and Customs' helplines for working tax credits queries.

Over the next few months HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will be migrating its existing telephone services to a new telephony platform. This will improve the way that the queuing systems work and, over time, will lead to reduced wait times.

HMRC is also looking at a number of initiatives to improve customer service and wait times. These include: greater flexible working across HMRC to improve its response to particular peaks in demand; and investing in online and digital services for the future, opening up a wider variety of channels.

All HMRC helplines, including those for Tax Credit Helpline are landline numbers.