Security is an important issue for HMRC, given the fact that HMRC holds personal data on every tax payer in Britain it is vital that the data is held securely.
Therefore it is disappointing to learn that seven immigrants lied their way into security jobs at HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) with forged documents last year.
They worked for a contractor that guarded customs buildings before they were identified in December.
Since then one of the workers has been arrested, five have resigned and the other is on maternity leave while her immigration status is investigated.
This information belatedly came to light after a Freedom of Information request.
HMRC said the latest revelations had been exposed after a routine check on paperwork found "irregularities".
Shouldn't the paperwork be checked before employing people?
Tax does have to be taxing.
HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
It's good to have seen you including sources in your posts recently; even if many have been anonymous comments on this site (I would of course never so cynical as to think you posted them yourself, Ken - the grammar's too good, for one thing!).
ReplyDeleteHowever, which paper is this one from (I presume it's a paper)? I want to know more!
Given the recent news that about 50% of Lambeth's traffic wardens went awol when asked to produce their papers one wonders just how many illegal immigrants there are in public sector services at all levels. I suppose they never face prosecution as private companies would.
ReplyDeleteIt's not unknown for Mapeley security contractors to further sub-contract work out they cannot cope with. The result of that is HMRC ends up with a convicted drug dealer, or an alcholic guarding their buildings. Not to mention the guy who comes straight from the job center, without training, or checks being carried out.
ReplyDelete...which is about to get worse as any remaining "in-house " security guards are privatised. The difficulty here is that, I wouldn't want to defend HMRC policy in this area, but it IS Gov't policy which is supported (or at least not contested) by the voting Public.
ReplyDeleteIf you ain't going to stand up and defend YOUR public services then don't be surprised if they end up in the crap state that they currently are.
It would seem that the department, is still plugging away in its quest to sell off its security guards to the cheapest bidder.
ReplyDeleteHowever, readers who don't happen to think this is such a good idea, might wish to register their opposition by sending one of the campaign cards recently produced by the PCS union, to Stephen Timms MP, or write to him at the House of Commons.
Opposition can also be registered by signing the On-Line petition:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/hmrcsecurity/