Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of ending the high income child benefit charge.

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

The High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) ensures that the Government supports the majority of families whilst keeping welfare expenditure sustainable.

Most families are unaffected. In 2020-21, (the latest year that data is available), the HICBC raised over £400m in revenue. 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.

The Government therefore considers that keeping the HICBC in place remains appropriate, but keeps all tax policies under review.