This just gets worse...
Six more data discs 'are missing' HM Revenue and Customs has confirmed that a further six data discs have gone missing in transit between its offices in Preston and London.
The discs, transported by courier company TNT, contained recorded conversations between a member of staff and a customer making a complaint.
They were reported missing on the 30 October, HMRC said. Timeline: Child benefits records loss Two CDs containing personal details of 25m people have been lost by HM Revenue and Customs. Here is how the crisis unfolded. MARCH 2007A 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.
SEPTEMBERRecords 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 OCTOBERChild 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 OCTOBERThe 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 NOVEMBERSenior HMRC management are informed that the 18 October package is missing.
10 NOVEMBERAlistair 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 NOVEMBERMr Darling is told by HMRC that evidence has been found which might help to find the missing package.
14 NOVEMBERThe chancellor decides the HMRC searches have failed and tells HMRC chairman Paul Gray to call in the Metropolitan Police.
15 NOVEMBERThe chancellor goes to Information Commissioner Richard Thomas, who agrees that remedial action must be taken before a public statement is made.
12-18 NOVEMBERMr 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 NOVEMBERMr 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 NOVEMBERPrime 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 NOVEMBERHMRC 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.
Well thats alright then...
