Confidential details of 15 million child benefit recipients are on a computer disc lost by HM Revenue and Customs, the BBC understands.
Confidential details of 15 million child benefit recipients are on computer discs lost by HM Revenue and Customs, the BBC understands.
The chairman of revenue and customs, Paul Gray, has resigned.
The chairman of the organisation, Paul Gray, has resigned.
Revenue and Customs says it does not believe the records - names, addresses and bank accounts - have fallen into the wrong hands.
Revenue and Customs says it does not believe the records - names, addresses and bank accounts - have fallen into the wrong hands.
Chancellor Alistair Darling is to give a Commons statement on "a major operational problem" at 1530 GMT.
Chancellor Alistair Darling is to give a Commons statement on "a major operational problem" at 1530 GMT.
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said he understood ministers had been aware for nine to 10 days.
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said he understood ministers had been aware of the problem for nine to 10 days.
'Rumours'
Mr Darling is expected to outline the measures taken to protect those whose data has been lost.
Mr Darling is expected to outline the measures taken to protect those whose data has been lost.
The resignation of Mr Gray was accepted because disks were transported in breach of rules governing data protection.
The resignation of Mr Gray was accepted because discs had been transported in breach of rules governing data protection.
Conservative MP Michael Fallon, who is vice-chairman of the Treasury select committee, said there had been "persistent rumours that all is not well at Revenue and Customs, which is the biggest single department of the Treasury".
There had also been "complaints from other MPs about the service that our constituents have been getting in terms of tax credits and so on and it may look as if he (Mr Darling)], maybe that he's simply taken his eye off the ball over that organisation as well," he added.
But Home Office minister Liam Byrne said: "I think that the department does a difficult job and I think it does it well - the chancellor will set out a full statement and a full account to the background of this story a little later on."
Are you worried about the loss of child benefit records? Do you think you may be affected by this story? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.
