Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Missing Child Benefit data

Like any IT story this one is a massive nightmare given the potential implications for fraudulent transactions if the information has fallen into the wrong hands. The fact that 25 million numbers were on sent by unrecorded post and not by a secure method make the whole situation even worse in the way that the information has been handled.

Of course, this is of huge concern to millions and the Government have taken the right steps in re-assuring people. Clearly something has gone dramatically wrong and that it's right that the matter is fully investigated and that lessons are learned from this incident.

Although no doubt people will be calling for the head of Alastair Darling he can't be held responsible for every error on operational matters. Clearly issues of concern have to exist with the running of Revenue and Customs and the resignation of the Chairman Paul Gray is a step in the right direction.

I just hope that nothing untoward has happened and measures that are in place to protect against fraud work. At the end of the day there is no need for mass panic given the banking code that is in place, but given the coverage this is receiving it will not be of comfort too many people who'll of course be deeply concerned about this very serious security breach.

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

So tell me.... would you have the same even handed "the Government really shouldn't be blamed" attitude if it was the Conservative party in control of that information?

8:58 am  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Be real! Martin is a politician and a loyal party member. He would never miss the opportunity to criticise the Tories had they beeen in power. Cheap and mindless party jibes would be the currency of the day. Independent opinion is not an option for the party loyalist (or sheep)

7:45 pm  
Blogger Martin Whelton said...

Well I don't think we can be held responsible for every single operational matter that takes place. Clearly a failure of management has taken place in HMCR and lessons need to be learned. Yes it's concerning that 25 million names could go missing like this but we have been up-front about the matter.

If had been the Conservatives it would of course depend on the circumsatances of the case.

11:41 pm  

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