Claimants had until midnight last night to submit their forms either online, over the phone or via the HMRC app.

As of Sunday, more than half a million people had still not renewed their tax credits.  If they still haven’t renewed they face having their payments stopped and may have to pay back money received since 6 April 2018. They could also be hit with a fine.

HMRC said anyone who missed the deadline should urgently contact them via the Tax Credits helpline on 0345 300 3900 or online at GOV.UK.

Last year 320,000 claimants had their payments stopped or altered because they missed the deadline to inform HMRC of changes to circumstances. These included changes to working hours, income and childcare costs.