Heywood and Middleton families affected by Government incompetence

6.35.00pm GMT Wed 21st Nov 2007

Heywood and Middleton Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman Councillor Wera Hobhouse has spoken of her anger after the personal details of 28,120 families with 56215 children in Heywood and Middleton went missing. Details of 25 million people have gone missing nationally; details include the name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number and many people's bank details. The Government has confirmed that as yet there was no evidence that the data has gone to criminals.

Councillor Wera Hobhouse said, "This is a security scare of nightmare proportions and wholly unacceptable in this day and age. People have given personal information in good faith - Government departments should have the decency to keep it safe. What I find appalling is that the Chancellor has waited nearly 2 weeks to inform people. There has been a helpline set up for any worried residents claiming child benefit - people can call 0845 302 1444. I am hugely disappointed with the HM Revenue & Customs but must also point out that anyone suffering from fraud as a result of this monumental error will be covered by the Banking Code so they will not suffer any financial loss as a result."

Liberal Democrat Acting Leader Vince Cable said it was now the Treasury and not the Home Office that was "not fit for purpose". He said, "Why does HMRC still use CDs for data transmission in this day and age? The ancient museum pieces it is currently using for computing must be replaced. After this disaster how can the public possibly have confidence in the vast centralised databases needed for the compulsory ID card scheme. Where does the buck stop after this catalogue of disasters?"