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Timeline: Child benefits records loss Timeline: Child benefits records loss
(3 days later)
Chancellor Alistair Darling has told the House of Commons that two CDs containing personal details of 25m people have been lost. Two CDs containing personal details of 25m people have been lost by HM Revenue and Customs. Here is how the crisis unfolded.
Here is a look at events at HM Revenue and Customs leading to the statement on Tuesday.
MARCH 2007MARCH 2007
A junior official at HM Revenue and Customs gives the National Audit Office a full copy of HMRC's child benefit data, in breach of security procedures. That information is later safely returned.A junior official at HM Revenue and Customs gives the National Audit Office a full copy of HMRC's child benefit data, in breach of security procedures. That information is later safely returned.
SEPTEMBERSEPTEMBER
Records of about 15,000 people's details go missing after being sent by HMRC to Standard Life. Also in September, a laptop containing around 400 ISA (individual savings accounts) customers' details is stolen.Records of about 15,000 people's details go missing after being sent by HMRC to Standard Life. Also in September, a laptop containing around 400 ISA (individual savings accounts) customers' details is stolen.
18 OCTOBER18 OCTOBER
Child benefit data is again sent to the NAO by a junior official, using the courier company TNT, which operates the HMRC's post system. The package containing two CDs, containing details of 25 million individuals, is not recorded or registered and fails to arrive.Child benefit data is again sent to the NAO by a junior official, using the courier company TNT, which operates the HMRC's post system. The package containing two CDs, containing details of 25 million individuals, is not recorded or registered and fails to arrive.
24 OCTOBER24 OCTOBER
The NAO tells HMRC it has not received the package. An HMRC spokeswoman said the official believed it may have been delayed by the postal strikes or in the NAO's office move and did not report it.A second copy is sent, again in breach of procedures, but this time it is sent by registered post and arrives safely.The NAO tells HMRC it has not received the package. An HMRC spokeswoman said the official believed it may have been delayed by the postal strikes or in the NAO's office move and did not report it.A second copy is sent, again in breach of procedures, but this time it is sent by registered post and arrives safely.
8 NOVEMBER8 NOVEMBER
Senior HMRC management are informed that the 18 October package is missing.Senior HMRC management are informed that the 18 October package is missing.
10 NOVEMBER10 NOVEMBER
Alistair Darling is informed and tells Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Mr Darling orders an immediate investigation and searches of all premises where the package might be, as well as action to ensure it does not happen again.Alistair Darling is informed and tells Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Mr Darling orders an immediate investigation and searches of all premises where the package might be, as well as action to ensure it does not happen again.
12 NOVEMBER12 NOVEMBER
Mr Darling is told by HMRC that evidence has been found which might help to find the missing package.Mr Darling is told by HMRC that evidence has been found which might help to find the missing package.
14 NOVEMBER14 NOVEMBER
The chancellor decides the HMRC searches have failed and tells HMRC chairman Paul Gray to call in the Metropolitan Police.The chancellor decides the HMRC searches have failed and tells HMRC chairman Paul Gray to call in the Metropolitan Police.
15 NOVEMBER15 NOVEMBER
The chancellor goes to Information Commissioner Richard Thomas, who agrees that remedial action must be taken before a public statement is made.The chancellor goes to Information Commissioner Richard Thomas, who agrees that remedial action must be taken before a public statement is made.
12-18 NOVEMBER12-18 NOVEMBER
Mr Gray tells Mr Darling he feels he should resign. The chancellor seeks the advice of the Financial Services Authority and Serious Organised Crime Agency, while banks are alerted by HMRC.Mr Gray tells Mr Darling he feels he should resign. The chancellor seeks the advice of the Financial Services Authority and Serious Organised Crime Agency, while banks are alerted by HMRC.
20 NOVEMBER20 NOVEMBER
Mr Gray resigns following an announcement that Mr Darling is to make a statement to the House of Commons. The chancellor outlines what has happened and announces an investigation of HMRC's security procedures by PricewaterhouseCoopers chairman Kieran Poynter, alongside the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which monitors the HMRC. Mr Gray resigns following an announcement that Mr Darling is to make a statement to the House of Commons. The chancellor outlines what has happened and announces an investigation of HMRC's security procedures by PricewaterhouseCoopers chairman Kieran Poynter, alongside the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which monitors the HMRC. 21 NOVEMBER
Prime Minister Gordon Brown apologises for the "inconvenience and worries" caused and orders security checks on all government departments. The Conservatives produce e-mails they say show senior HMRC officials approved the downloading of the entire Child Benefit register - including bank details - on to discs to save cash.
22 NOVEMBER
HMRC writes to seven million families to reassure them that the missing data is "likely to still be on government property". The government denies the personal data was put on to discs at the request of senior officials.