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<p>The following table outlines the sum of penalties applied to tax credits claimants
in each of the past four years.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Penalties
applied in period</p></td><td><p>Sum of civil penalties applied</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>£28,181,587.50</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>£13,128,383.00</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>£4,599,135.86</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>£1,196,988.00</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
</p><p>An integral part of the tax credits error and fraud strategy was to ensure
that claimants who negligently or deliberately sought to mislead HMRC about their
circumstances would be dealt with appropriately. This led to a review of the penalty
regime, which resulted in a large scale levying of penalties. This was consistent
with the principles contained in the Welfare Reform Act 2012, in particular with the
approach to issue tougher penalties for the most serious offences.</p><p> </p>
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