Customs & Excise hits back at Treasury Committee call for merger with Inland Revenue
Radical changes to the way Customs & Excise and the Inland Revenue work will mean a better deal for the taxpayer, according to paymaster general Dawn Primarolo.
Response to a scathing report from MPs on the Commons Treasury Committee, which has investigated the future of both departments, Primarolo praised the effects of working together and suggested radical changes are afoot.
‘Closer Working – a programme of work by both departments – will ensure that taxpayers get the high quality service they deserve. It will provide a one-stop-shop of advice, along with improved customer support services, meeting the needs of businesses and individual taxpayers,’ Primarolo said.
The ambitious plan covers a wide range of taxpayer services, including: bringing together seven other departments and agencies to work towards improving education, support and compliance in industry.
It would also tackle the shadow economy; run joint seminars and open days and set common standards for the sharing of electronic information.
A Closer Working programme director and team were appointed last February with the action plan drawn up and approved by ministers last September. The plan is a Public Service Agreement commitment of both departments emerged from the Comprehensive Spending Review.
Customs & Excise official website