Thursday 1 November 2018

HMRC Says It With Flowers

 

The Telegraph reports that HMRC has spent more than £10,000 on flowers to apologise to taxpayers for mistakes made over the past five years.

Records disclosed under Freedom of Information show that in one year alone, HMRC spent £3,149 on florists as a result of its blunders.

HMRC said it chooses to send flowers in cases where its errors have a serious effect, such as on vulnerable or recently bereaved people. This apparently was said without any sense of irony or shame!

The total bill between 2014 and this year to date was £10,298, the figures showed.

Past mistakes by HMRC include mistakenly sending a cafe owner from Stockport a near-£1billion bill.

Call me old fashioned but if I had been screwed over by HMRC, I would expect more than some farking flowers as an apology!

Tax does have to be taxing.

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46 comments:

  1. Flowers? FFS. Where HMRC have messed up, or worse broken the law, I would expect it to be independently investigated with HMRC criminals and law-breakers sacked and prosecuted before the courts!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well, a swift trawl on the interthinghy lists a myriad of flowers readily avaialble in the UK, which are poisonous to humans.
    I bet the risk assessment for this particular activity gets a serious re-run!
    I was surprised by some of the more common types so included, been giving them to my wife for years. ;}

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  3. A rumour went round the HMRC grapevine stating that particularly reputational damaging mistakes made resulted in the customer receiving an Orchid ...i kid you not

    ReplyDelete
  4. The reputation of HMRC is in tatters:
    - an institutional culture of vile & violent staff bullying, all covered up by management & the HR People,
    - failure to comply with the law on a range of issues,
    - HMRC staff misconduct & criminality left unchecked, particularly when their behaviour is targeted at whistle-blowers raising inconvenient truths,
    - persistent poor performance,
    - an appraisal & management system which allows genuine poor performers to get away with it while strong performers are targeted if their face doesn't fit (discrimination & bigotry is alive & well inside the HMRC mad house),
    - a waste of scarce resources on everything from luxurious away days at football clubs for senior management through to the numerous tribunals they lose,
    - the spectacle of Jon Thompson CEO disengaging with taxpayers/'customers' by closing his social media accounts when the going gets tough (if one doesn't possess a backbone should they hold senior public roles?),
    - staff lavished with 'reward for failure' bonuses,
    - gongs handed out to senior management despite the failures.

    To make matters worse HMRC have ONCE AGAIN been criticised by a PAC Report which says "Cracks are showing at HMRC":-
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46061329

    Will anything change? Will any HMRC law-breakers be prosecuted? Will poor performance be dealt with? Will staff be sacked? Will any senior managers do the honorable thing and resign? Of course, HMRC is so out of control that they operate above the law and outside of societal & professional norms.

    Only a full investigation with appropriate action taken against guilty individuals and full root & branch reform can restore any credibility to this failed tax department.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Get the police to investigate HMRC law breaking?

      Delete
    2. @ 22:29 Yes HMRC staff should report crimes by HMRC to the police as HMRC cannot be trusted to resolve the matters. What is really required is a government ordered, independent, inquiry, which looks a whole range of issues, with the aim of improving the tax service and preventing HMRC or it's staff causing any further harm to the taxpayers or their own staff. If that inquiry unearths the evidence of criminal misconduct - and there is plenty to find if they do a good job - that should be referred to the appropriate authority.

      Delete
  5. surely these people are just doing their best. we can't all be perfect

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    Replies
    1. @ 16:03 Are you for real ??
      I am nearly 30 years in this place....and we are now like the Titanic
      The HMRC is fucked...tax collection and tax credit payment is not the core work anymore.....engagement fluff and waffle is the new mantra....the experienced staff are out the door....the young university degreed "nodding dogs" are in lapping up this manure....truly pathetic stuff

      Delete
    2. The loss of experienced talent from public service @ Hmrc is a fucking disgrace. Wonders whether these 'fast track' bunch massaging the overinflated egos of the mob at the top are complicit in the overall mess...

      One such person in HR stood by while violent bullying and law breaking was covered up and subsequently moved on to the Mayor of London's Office...

      It's all about their personal enrichment and career progression and a big two fingers up to timeserved front line staff (who deal with all the abusive behaviour from some of the public) and the taxpayers who deserve better!!

      Delete
    3. Sad thing is....the young "internet egotistical mob" just hoover this non job fluff up...and they are so good at it.
      Customer service is dead...but what annoys me is some experienced staff are just accepting this to have an easy life....despicable.

      Delete
    4. It's been said before but HMRC management have disdain for technical staff. It's because too many lower managers got promoted beyond their capabilities into work areas in which they had no knowledge. Pacesetter came along and they clung to it like a comfort blanket. It was something nebulous that they could understand and enthuse about. It then started to drive the department and attracted very many apostles who didn't like the dirty work of actually dealing with taxpayers.

      Delete
    5. Oh how true that is...Pacesetter and the inane fluff that follows it is an industry in itself...and it is outgrowing the real core work of taxation....incredible

      Delete
    6. Yep...agree entirely...pacesetter taken over in field force...'collectors' scared of their own shadow...terrible 'money collected' stats but hang on to overpaid easy jobs owing to fake enthusiasm for all the forking crap...despair what has become of this joke department...save us!

      Delete
    7. @16.59 on 2nd Nov Some of us experienced staff aren't accepting this. I for one an not, is is why I will soon be leaving.

      I have worked for both IR and HMC&E, and never have I felt so disengaged, all goodwill went some time ago, and "going that extra mile" does nothing. If you don't go for promotion, you are treated as though you aren't worthy. So many are simply overpromoted, and their staff have no confidence in what they say. And that includes some recently recruited staff too, who already see through the corporate bullshit some (but not all) put out.

      I'll be so glad to go and start with a company that value their staff of any pay and.

      Delete
    8. Spot on...and I wish you well..a sad indictment of a once decent department.

      Delete
    9. @12.33 You won't regret leaving. I say to all those thinking about leaving - do it. I left in 2017 after 28 years, admittedly a little concerned at what the future would hold.
      Now I don't miss anything about it. I just wish I'd left earlier.
      Best of luck

      Delete
    10. Face it, most civil servants ain't got the balls to leave. Lots of whinging, very little action.

      Delete
    11. @19:04 What's your point ? Perhaps if there was decent management there wouldn't be whingeing...place the blame where it lies.

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    12. Good luck to all those leaving HMRC - your health will certainly improve.

      A recent 'former employee' review from an HMRC Higher Officer, Peterborough gives a good flavour of how the place is run nowadays:
      "Great at getting awards and introducing diversity and improvement schemes, rarely apply them to day-to-day work.

      Spent 15 years with HMRC working up to middle management, makes no difference what grade you are the old boys network will prevail no matter how high up you go.

      I thought diversity work with the Executive Committee would carry some weight, not a chance!"

      Delete
    13. Another interesting former employee review on Indeed;
      "Only work for HMRC if you are willing to LIE to people and give bad advice to them all the time. If you value Customer Service and giving Good Customer Service all the time, then don't work here."

      Do HMRC tell lies? You'd better believe it!

      Delete
  6. They had better pop down to the Chelsea Flower Show for a bunch or two... or thirty thousand...

    www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hmrc-got-up-to-30-000-tax-bills-wrong-nhbmbtjs5

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Easy way to stop this...simplify the tax system...and train the staff properly....AA/AO grades doing the real work for paltry wages...not enough of them...they are recruiting far too many management grades who have no idea what taxation is.

      Delete
  7. Stop playing with your c*cks and collect some tax would be my mantra.

    ReplyDelete
  8. When HMRC have committed a crime or broken the law, individuals inside HMRC should be held personally liable for their behaviour. It's called the 'rule of law' and it's how things should operate in this country.

    Handing out flowers, that you, me and everybody taxpayer has paid for is not an acceptable substitute for HMRC's accountability in law.

    When I was a victim of HMRC law-breaking, Jon Thompson, the Chief Executive, was personally aware of my case. I know this because Mr Thompson signed a letter to MP, a letter which contained defamatory, false and misleading information as HMRC sought to evade their responsibilities and run away from the dishonest, brutal & toxic bullying culture which thrives in the organisation.

    Despite Mr Thompon's involvement, this did not keep HMRC honest, quite the contrary actually because HMRC submitted a defense which contained numerous false statements. This seems to be a clear case of attempting to pervert the course of justice, perjury and contempt of court.

    If HMRC are prepared commit disgusting acts which strike right at the rule of law itself, how on earth can the public trust the institution?

    ReplyDelete
  9. The HR people at HMRC are a disgrace to themselves and the government. No amount of flowers would make up for their behaviour; they should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

    As a victim of HMRC bullying, I contacted HR and asked to speak with an individual who appeared to be involved in conspiring to cover-up the truth and potentially pervert the court of justice.

    Eventually this HR 'man' returned my call. A weak, pitiful little fella he sounded, not quite as tough as he had appeared from the tone of disgusting emails he had written about me. He knew I had figured out his plans. I called him back later that afternoon on the number from which he called off, as I had further questions for the rogue, but when he answered he sounded completely drunk (they don't do professionalism in HR) and asked how I had got his personal mobile number.

    I told him that he had called me off that number so I assumed it was his work number? He then told me he had been 'working' at home earlier in the day and was using his mobile, but had now signed off for the day. I assured him I had been totally unaware as he had failed to communicate that and considered it the end of the matter.

    So desperate was this horrible little man to smear and discredit me that he typed some DISHONEST notes inferring I had somehow illegitimately obtained his personal number and he had told me 'it was not acceptable'. Lies run right through everything HMRC does and if they are against you, taxpayers or HMRC staff, they believe it is their perfect right to invent fairy tales which then become true.

    Vile lowlife who are unemployable in the real world!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Can't anyone take out private prosecutions against these lawbreakers? Surely if the law has been broken, then surely the police or at least an employment solicitor would be interested in bringing those that break the law to justice. Or don't the police bother anymore in prosecuting those in, what often sound to be open and shut cases, with what look to be 100% successful prosecutions?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, anyone can take out a private prosecution, but not everyone has the ability to do so, whether that be because of cost or possibility of continuing to damage one's health.
      The cost of an action against the employer is high as a result of HMRC always throwing a Q.C. into the frame.
      It should not be the responsibility of the individual, but when the PCS is ruled by Trotskists and their legal advisors appear to look for reasons not to take cases rather than reasons to push forward what do you expect.
      Lower paid staff do not have the means to risk an action against a loaded system and until such time as a full and proper investigation takes place then the law will continue to be viewed as biased and ineffective.
      The common purpose and lean/pacesetter systems make the whole thing a systemic disgrace unfortunately.

      Delete
    2. HMRC's lawbreaking is well known. The victims are numerous. HMRC mete out psychological violence to staff, and taxpayers, at will because they know there will be NO repercussions. They trade on the basis that "we are HMRC, holier than thou, decent civil servants" etc etc in the hope of geting away with. This needs to stop. Where the evidence exists HMRC individuals, past and present, should feel the full force of the law. The offence of 'Misconduct in Public Office' exists for good reasons: to ensure public trust & confidence in those in powerful public positions and to act as a deterrent to lowlife working within. HMRC abuse the trust of the public and vast majoirty of their law abiding staff.
      How can it be right that HR personnel submit a defense in county court proceedings which they know to be false and, in part, based on the 'evidence' of a manager who they know has broken the law, broken internal rules and is a thoroughly unreliable witness, and these people are not prosecuted?

      Delete
    3. Could HMRC be reported to the Attorney General to investigate their casual disregard for the rule of law?

      Delete
    4. M.P.'s , the PAC and the 'esteemed' Margaret Hodge' are all aware, so throwing it in front of the A.G. can't do any harm. There is sufficient evidence already submitted to HMRC grievance panels, CEO's and PCS/Unions to have caused a few rattled cages. However, it needs more than the rattling of cages to get this flag raised and flapping in the wind.

      Delete
  11. Latest from the trenches....internal HMRC Intranet which took at least 30 seconds to load a page...quality work from the I.T team at HMRC CDIO...is now being upgraded....hurrah !!!
    Instead of 30 seconds......the Intranet after rigorous testing....drum roll..........is producing the error 502 Gateway Error.....brilliant...simply thanks vouchers all round !!! The Titanic continues to sink....when will they ever learn ?
    More breaking news as it happens.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ....and even better...our I.T gurus have now admitted defeat and returned to the old Intranet system which takes an average of 30 seconds to load a page...they say it's better than having no system at all...what a BRILLIANT HMRC !! Sticking plasters all round.

      Delete
  12. Any staff member who finds themselves being bullied under attendance management into going against medical advice should pause for a second. No employee can deliberately by their actions put another employee at risk of harm. So simply take a personal injury claim against the manager citing S7 HASAWA 1974. For deliberately attempting to put someone at risk of harm and using threatening behaviour to push victim into going against gp advice. Managers who deliberately do this under HR Policy 62190 would not get HMRC's backing as it is not going to ET. But don't expect help from PCS. They need to step up to the mark not rattling sabers on campaigns they cant win. At leadt this way there may be a chance. Read section 7 of hasawa. No one can put themselves at risk and neither can others. Simplez. Sort it out PCS. Fight one winnable battle.

    ReplyDelete
  13. My heart goes out to staff suffering at HMRC.
    Some good points above about health & safety law re bullying.
    HMRC are crafty bastards though and normally cover their tracks.
    PCS and their reps could bring down this culture from within. PCS' issue is not lack of money but lack of courage.
    I see HMRC have signed the "Time to Change" pledge - a great charity but slightly undermined when lawbreakers such as HMRC add their name.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Yeah, right..

    https://www.pcs.org.uk/pcs-in-hm-revenue-and-customs-group/latest-news/national-stress-awareness-day

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Does PCS union have no sense of shame? They have been complicit in enabling a stressful work environment by failing to support members. In any other business, the 'customer' would walk away and PCS would fold.

      And what the fuck is one supposed to do if an ACC1 Accident Report is completed and a PCS rep helps a bullying manager to suppress the contents of said form?

      Delete
    2. I look back with affection to the old days of the IRSF.

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  15. I don't mean any disrespect but this has been going on for years. Since the merger. I and others left in 2008/2009. Why do people stay there? The comments about PCS Union. Agree, totally useless but again going on for years. Didn't start last week. Why do people remain with these animals. Its never going to change.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your description of HMRC senior management as animals resonates. They are wicked bastards. Some nearing retirement have limited options, other younger people should get out and nobody should apply to HMRC unless desperate. Agreed: it's never going to change. We now need prosecutions of those HMRC staff, mainly management and Hr, who committed criminal offences inside HMRC harming decent staff - justice for the victims! C*unts!

    ReplyDelete
  17. The predominately ex IR staff are like snakes in a pit. Not a patch on old C&E staff who have more dignity and intellect. HMRC sadly has raced to the bottom and nearly driven out or farmed out Customs staff and their work. I am out of there now but could spot a 7 pid a mile off. Staff will know what I mean.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Everyone had a 7 put in front of their HMC&E PID. I knew a number of absolute fuckwits in HMC&E, so it's not a problem that only happened after the merger.

      Delete
  18. Ah the new taletless unetheical 7 pid brigade. As for the suppression of acc1s whuch is rife in the call centres. If not fully investgated wirh 20 calendar days, report your grade 7 to internal governance for a laugh. That will help drive standards up and use thier excuses in PI claim as evidence. They have ALL signed assurances that they have read & understood the H&S policy. So any management action putting safety at risk must be deliberate by default. This is winnable PCS. Collective PI claim time.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank you for your massive generalisation @00.34. I worked for IR then HMC&E and both had their fair share of snakes in the pit. Brown nosing is as old as both departments.

    What has changed is the people they brown nose to-mostly inexperienced fuckwits with no idea of what the long term effects of their changes will be. All those at the frontline know their changes will be a car crash. But why do these managers care-they would have jumped out of the car a long way before.

    And as ever, the wheel keeps turning, turning, turning.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agreed above...we are all in the shit together...the merger just made things worse.

      Delete