HMRC's Stubborn Stance on Phone Line Closures

In an era where the importance of open communication channels is more evident than ever, it is disheartening to see the HMRC's unwavering commitment to a strategy that seems to prioritise cost-cutting over customer service. The recent statement from the HMRC boss, confirming that closing phone lines is still part of their strategy, is a stark reminder of this unfortunate reality.

Ignoring the Backlash

Despite the significant backlash over previous plans to cut helplines, the tax office has refused to rule out future helpline cuts. This decision not only disregards the public outcry but also undermines the essential role that these helplines play in providing timely and accurate tax information to the public.

The Human Element

While digitalisation has its merits, it cannot replace the human element that telephone helplines provide. They offer a direct, personal, and immediate form of communication that many taxpayers rely on, particularly those who are not as tech-savvy or those dealing with complex tax issues.

Quotes from the Treasury Select Committee Meeting

During the Treasury Select Committee session, Jim Harra addressed the issue of taxpayers needing extra support, stating that HMRC identifies customers who need extra support by their individual needs or personal circumstances rather than the reasons for HMRC contact.

"I am not saying we won’t return to this, because it is part of our strategy and we do think it was effective last year.

I’m very disappointed that we have not been able to take what I regard as a modernising step at this point.

Our monitoring tells us that for both our helpline staff, our web chat advisors and also staff on our post teams, they are as effective at home as they are in the office.

So I’m confident, whilst I want to make sure that colleagues comply with working from home policy I’m confident an answer to our problem is not to change the balance of working from home and working in the office.

We know that colleagues answering phone calls at home all have the same productivity as colleagues answering in the office. Whilst we are continuing to implement our office working attending strategy that is not going to make a material difference in the short term to performance of our helplines.”

A Call for Change

It is high time that HMRC reevaluates its strategy. The focus should be on improving and expanding customer service channels, not reducing them. The HMRC must remember that it serves the public, and its strategies should reflect the needs and preferences of the public, not just its budgetary constraints.

In conclusion, HMRC's insistence on closing phone lines, despite the clear public opposition, is a troubling indication of its disregard for customer service. One can only hope that HMRC will listen to the voices of the taxpayers and reconsider its stance on this critical issue. After all, a tax system that does not prioritise the needs of its taxpayers is a system that fails in one of its fundamental duties.


Tax does have to be taxing.

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MPs To Quiz HMRC Chief Over Rayner’s Affairs

 

The Treasury Committee’s decision to question the HMRC chief about Rayner’s tax affairs is a significant development. The focus of the inquiry is the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rules, which are at the heart of the row over Rayner’s property dealings.

Well, as fascinating as this might be, it will achieve SWFA; as Rayner (like everyone else) is entitled to confidentiality wrt her tax affairs (unless she is on trial or has been formally charged). HMRC will brush this aside and say they don't comment on individual's tax affairs.

Tax does have to be taxing.

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HMRC's £12M Erroneous Overpayments: A Decade of Mismanagement

 

In an astonishing revelation, it has been reported that His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has mistakenly overpaid its own staff by millions of pounds³. This shocking mismanagement of public funds raises serious questions about the financial controls within the organisation.

A Decade of Overpayments

Over the past decade, HMRC employees have pocketed a staggering £12.6 million in erroneous overpayments. In the last year alone, some 250 employees were mistakenly overpaid by more than £1,000. These figures, obtained by The Telegraph, show a total of £12.3 million has been paid back by staff, leaving a £300,000 shortfall.

The Impact on Public Trust

The news of these overpayments is likely to erode public trust in the HMRC. Jonathan Eida, a researcher at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, rightly pointed out that taxpayers will be fuming that tax officials have been filling their pockets with more than they’re entitled to, even if it’s by accident. The fact that a significant portion of the overpaid cash hasn’t been clawed back is even more concerning.

HMRC's Response

In response to these revelations, an HMRC spokesman stated that they operate at a monthly payroll average accuracy rate of 99.54%, which exceeds the corporate benchmark of 98%. However, this still means that 0.05% of the total paybill in the 2022-23 financial year was incorrectly paid. This equates to over £1.2 million, of which only 84% has been recovered.

Conclusion

These revelations highlight the need for improved financial controls within HMRC. It is unacceptable for public funds to be mismanaged in this way. HMRC must take immediate action to rectify these errors and ensure that every last penny of the overpaid money is reclaimed. Only then can public trust in the organization be restored.

The HMRC's erroneous overpayments are a stark reminder of the importance of financial accountability in public institutions. It is crucial that such institutions maintain the highest standards of financial management to ensure the responsible use of taxpayer money.


Tax does have to be taxing.

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HMRC Spunks £4.5M of Taxpayers' Money Up The Wall on Woke Non Jobs

In an era where every penny of public expenditure should be accounted for, the recent revelation of HMRC's spending on 'woke non-jobs' is nothing short of a scandal.

A Misguided Spending Spree

HMRC, the body responsible for collecting taxes and ensuring financial fairness, has ironically been caught in a wasteful spending spree. A whopping £4.5 million has been squandered on roles that have been labelled as 'woke non-jobs'. These are roles add little to no value to the organisation or to the public it serves.

Here are the non jobs that our taxes are paying for:

• Culture Impacting and Equalities Support
• Senior Consultant for Equality Diversity
• Values & Culture Advocate Lead
• Wellbeing Project Co-ordinator
• Culture Impacting and Equalities Support

The Cost of Irresponsibility

This £4.5 million is not just a number. It represents a colossal waste of public funds, funds that could have been better spent on improving public services, reducing the tax burden, or even paying down the national debt. Instead, this money has been frittered away on jobs that seem more focused on virtue signalling than delivering tangible benefits to the public.

A Call for Accountability

This situation calls for a serious examination of HMRC's spending priorities. It's high time that HMRC, like all public sector organisations, is held accountable for its spending decisions. The public deserves to know why such a significant amount of money is being spent on 'woke non-jobs' and what benefits, if any, these roles are bringing.

In conclusion, HMRC's £4.5 million spending on 'woke non-jobs' is a glaring example of financial irresponsibility. It's a stark reminder of the need for greater transparency, accountability, and financial prudence in all areas of public expenditure. 

The public deserves better, and it's high time that HMRC delivered!

Tax does have to be taxing.

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Sacked For Not Being Sorry Enough

In a recent turn of events, Gordon Askew, a member of the branch executive committee at HMRC's Benton Park View branch in Newcastle, was dismissed. The grounds for this dismissal were cited as 'potential' computer misuse.

Background

The dismissal followed a series of targeted strike actions taken by the branch, including three national days of strike action. In the aftermath of these strikes, HMRC launched an investigation into two Newcastle-based representatives.

The Charge

The charge against Askew was a 'potential' breach of the department's IT policy. This was allegedly due to a Microsoft Teams message sent to a number of PCS members, relating to the strike action. The department’s decision maker claimed that Microsoft Teams had been used “without a legitimate business reason”.

The Decision

Despite Askew's nearly thirty years of spotless service to the department, the decision maker opted for dismissal. It was stated that a lesser penalty was considered, but the decision to sack Askew was made because he didn’t appear to be sorry enough for what he had done.

A History of Dismissals

This is not the first time that a PCS representative has been dismissed by HMRC management in Newcastle. In 2017, the branch organiser was sacked for emailing the branch membership list from his work email account to his personal account². Despite PCS arguing that a PCS rep emailing PCS material from work to home was not a matter for the department, the dismissal proceeded. However, PCS was successful in securing the rep’s reinstatement.

Next Steps

PCS is currently discussing the next steps with their Legal Department. A meeting for all members of the branch will be held on 10 April to discuss the response to the sacking.

Conclusion

This incident raises questions about the treatment of union representatives and the interpretation of IT policies within HMRC. It underscores the importance of clear communication and fair treatment in the workplace. As the situation unfolds, PCS members and observers alike will be keenly watching the developments.


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HMRC Proudly Admits That a Human Wrote This!

 

 

HMRC has confirmed that it does not use AI to write letters sent to taxpayers, and is proud to confirm that the above was written by a member of its human staff!

Tax does have to be taxing.

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