Union rejects claim of over-staffing at HMRC

HMRC hq

A union leader representing senior staff at HM Revenue and Customs has dismissed claims that it could manage with half as many staff.

Last week, former trade minister Digby Jones told MPs that Whitehall could be run with half as many civil servants. But Association of Revenues and Customs President Terry Cook said more, not fewer, tax inspectors were needed to deal effectively with growth in tax avoidance and evasion cases.

‘Digby Jones thinks that the civil service could manage with half as many people,’ he said. ‘HMRC is beleaguered by powerful tax consultancies dedicated to undermining tax in any way they can. And following the credit crunch businesses are looking to reduce their overheads as much as possible. Tax is one of those costs, so we can expect to see even more pressure on my members.’