Local MP Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh wants constituents from Clackmannanshire to get in touch with her urgently if their tax credit payments have been recently stopped.

The call follows a spate of false assessments by Concentrix, who are contracted by HMRC to partly administer the scheme, which has left many low-income families in the area without their vital payments.

Following pressure from Tasmina and other MPs, HMRC have announced that they will not renew Concentrix’s contract next year, and have now drafted in additional staff to help those affected receive the money to which they are entitled.

Tasmina said: “After writing to Ministers and tabling a range of parliamentary questions and motions on behalf of constituents, I’m glad that the Tory Government have reacted to pressure to intervene to resolve this urgent matter.

“I’ve already been contacted by a range of local families who have been left in distress when their vital tax credit payments have been stopped without warning, and so have taken up their case directly with HMRC.

“In these cases Concentrix had made a number of bizarre allegations which had resulted on payments being stopped, including false accusations that a victim was currently living with their neighbour’s ex-wife, that another mother co-habiting with their former partner or even someone else who was alleged to be in a relationship with a previous resident at their home address.

“My team met with HMRC officials in London to discuss a range of specific cases from this constituency and to push for a speedy resolution so that those affected can get the money they are rightly owed. I want to ensure that those families whose payments have been stopped in error are refunded as soon as possible. I’ve now been assured by HMRC that each of these existing cases will be resolved within a matter of days.

“That’s why I’m appealing for other families who may have been affected to get in touch now, so that my team can help expedite their case with the new crisis team which has been set up by HMRC.

“I’m determined that any constituent left out of pocket by the mistakes made by Concentrix is refunded as a matter of urgency.”

Constituents in Ochil and South Perthshire can contact Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh MP by phone on 01259 726661, or by email at tas.mp@parliament.uk

Tasmina added: “I’m always happy to make a surgery appointment with constituents at their request, but often my staff can help to resolve serious issues more quickly over the phone or by email. Please get in touch now and I’ll do all I can to help.”