HMRC's Woke Meltdown: 'Guilt of Being British' Seminar Banned – Taxpayers Finally Saved from Civil Service Nonsense

 

In a rare victory for common sense and taxpayer sanity, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has been slapped with new guidance banning "nonsense" civil servant network events during work hours. This crackdown comes hot on the heels of a jaw-dropping seminar titled Guilt of Being British: Listening Circle, organised by the HMRC Race Network – an event that had staff pondering the "emotional complexity" of national identity while clocked in and billing the public purse. If you're fed up with woke civil service excesses, this is the story of how absurdity finally met its match, but not without leaving a trail of wasted hours and eye-rolls in its wake.

The Absurdity of HMRC's 'Guilt Trip' Seminar: A Deep Dive into Diversity Gone Mad

Picture this: It's a balmy summer day in 2025, and instead of chasing tax evaders or processing refunds, HMRC employees are logging into a one-hour virtual session to unpack the "guilt, pride, and identity" tied to being British. Billed as a "powerful" listening circle by the Race Network, this wasn't some optional after-hours therapy sesh – it was squarely during work time, with remote access for maximum participation. Attendees were encouraged to reflect on the "emotional complexity of being South Asian and British," turning a government tax office into a impromptu colonialism confessional.

Critics didn't hold back, branding it pure "nonsense" that reeks of performative wokeness. And they're spot on. In an organisation already plagued by backlogs – think delayed refunds and creaking helplines – diverting staff to navel-gaze about national guilt isn't just tone-deaf; it's a slap in the face to every hardworking Brit footing the bill. HMRC, tasked with collecting £800 billion annually, somehow found bandwidth for this? It's the kind of bureaucratic bloat that makes you wonder if the real tax dodge is the civil service's grip on reality.

This wasn't a one-off either. Past events have veered into veganism advocacy and flexible working pep talks, all under the guise of "inclusion" networks. One can only imagine the productivity dip: hours lost to seminars that sound more like a bad TED Talk than essential public service. Small wonder public trust in HMRC is at rock bottom – when your tax collector prioritises identity politics over invoices, something's rotten in the Revenue.

Why This Ban on Civil Servant Network Events is Long Overdue – But Is It Enough?

Fast-forward to September 2025, and the powers-that-be have finally pulled the plug. New directives explicitly veto "nonsense" gatherings during office hours, ensuring that diversity drives, guilt circles, and vegan vigils stay out of the taxpayer-funded calendar. The Telegraph reports that future HMRC Race Network events have been canned in response, a direct fallout from the British guilt fiasco.

Hallelujah? Sort of. This ban is a welcome gut-punch to the civil service's DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) obsession, which has ballooned into a multi-million-pound industry of consultants, trainings, and endless committees. But let's not pop the champagne just yet. HMRC confirmed the seminar happened, yet it took public outrage – amplified by outlets like LBC and the Daily Mail – to force a rethink. Where was the oversight before staff were guilt-tripped on the clock?

And here's the kicker: These networks aren't vanishing; they're just shifting to lunch breaks or after hours. Fine, you say? Not if it means volunteers – often from underrepresented groups – shoulder the load outside paid time, turning "inclusion" into unpaid labour. HMRC's half-measure reeks of damage control, not genuine reform. Taxpayers deserve better than a band-aid on a bullet wound.

Broader Civil Service Wokeness: HMRC's Not Alone in the Madness

HMRC's saga is just the tip of the iceberg in a civil service drowning in ideological quicksand. From "decolonising" curricula in government departments to mandatory pronoun workshops, the UK's public sector has morphed into a petri dish for progressive experiments – all while services crumble. Remember the vegan days pushed in other agencies? Or the endless flexible working seminars that ignore frontline realities?

This isn't harmless fluff; it's corrosive. It alienates talent, erodes morale, and – crucially – costs a fortune. With civil service headcount swelling to over 500,000 and budgets ballooning, every hour on "Guilt of Being British" is a direct hit to efficiency. No wonder productivity lags: When your day job includes soul-searching about empire, who has time for actual work?

The backlash has been swift and savage, with social media ablaze – Reddit threads calling it "peak civil service idiocy" and X (formerly Twitter) users demanding heads roll. Politicians from across the aisle have piled on, questioning why public funds fuel such frivolity. It's a wake-up call: Time to audit these networks, cap their budgets, and refocus on core duties like, oh, collecting taxes without the therapy session.

Time for Real Accountability: End the Woke Civil Servant Circus Once and For All

HMRC's ban on network events during work hours is a step forward, but it's baby steps in a marathon of mismanagement. The Guilt of Being British seminar wasn't just embarrassing – it was emblematic of a civil service lost in its own echo chamber, prioritising feelings over fiscal responsibility. Taxpayers, who've endured years of this nonsense, now have a blueprint for demanding more: Scrutinise every "inclusion" initiative, measure its ROI (spoiler: it's often zero), and put productivity first.

If HMRC wants to rebuild trust, start by ditching the guilt trips and getting back to basics. No more seminars on British shame – unless they're about shaming the waste. Britain's public servants serve the public, not some abstract DEI deity. Let's hope this ban is the beginning of the end for civil service wokeness, not just a pause in the pandering.

What do you think – is HMRC's crackdown genuine reform or PR spin? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 

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"

EDI FOI - The Truth Shall Set You Free

 

My thanks to a loyal reader who has pointed me to an FOI request about EDI in HMRC, that seems to be being ignored by HMRC.

"Dear HM Revenue and Customs,

Please provide documentary evidence of the process in place at 1/8/2025 to ensure the appropriateness of presentations, learning, etc run under the EDI banner. For example to ensure the presentations complied with government guidance.

Please provide documentary evidence of the role the central EDI Team had in ensuring EDI events across HMRC complied with the Civil Service Expenditure and Impartiality Guidance.

Please provide numbers and associated staff costs of attendees at EDI events run from 1/1/25 to 30/4/25.

Please also provide details of the salary of the EDI Team for the same period.

Yours faithfully,"

Quite why HMRC is avoiding answering this is unclear. 

Tax does have to be taxing.



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DOB Your Neighbour

 

HMRC has launched a new hotline to tackle Covid fraud including benefits, loans and grants given out during the pandemic which were claimed illegally.

It’s part of an amnesty which will also allow anyone to hand back the money they took without any repercussions, ‘no questions asked’.

But if anyone who did take Covid cash illegally fails to turn the money back in during the voluntary repayment scheme, they could face prosecution next year when the government’s new ‘investigatory powers’ are made law.

Tax does have to be taxing.


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HMRC Exposed: Over 500,000 Sick Days a Year Fuel Taxpayer Frustration and Inefficiency

In a damning revelation that's sparking outrage among UK taxpayers, HMRC staff are clocking up more than half a million sick days annually, leaving millions of calls unanswered and billions in taxes uncollected. This epidemic of absenteeism highlights deep-rooted issues within the tax authority, where a "sick note culture" is costing the public dearly. As Britain grapples with economic pressures, questions arise: Is HMRC fit for purpose, or is it a bloated bureaucracy failing those who fund it?

The Shocking Scale of HMRC Staff Absenteeism

Recent Freedom of Information (FOI) requests have laid bare the extent of sickness absences at HMRC. Between August 2024 and July 2025, employees took a staggering 551,064 sick days. This figure, while slightly down from 565,244 the previous year, is up from 540,052 in 2022-2023, totalling over 1.6 million lost working days in just three years. With a workforce of around 66,000, this translates to an average of eight sick days per employee annually – far from a minor blip, but a systemic failure that's draining productivity.

Critics argue this isn't just bad luck; it's symptomatic of poor management and lax policies. Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately branded the statistics "shocking," stating that "far too many days are being lost to sick leave. This is unfair on taxpayers and damaging to productivity." Meanwhile, the wider civil service is haemorrhaging over four million working days yearly to sickness, with absence rates surging by more than 10% in some departments.

Devastating Impact on Taxpayers and Services

While HMRC staff stay home, ordinary taxpayers are left in the lurch. Jonathan Athow, HMRC's director general of customer strategy, admitted during a parliamentary session that up to four million taxpayer calls go unanswered each year. That's millions of frustrated individuals and businesses unable to get help on critical issues like tax returns, refunds, or compliance – all while £46.8 billion in owed taxes remains uncollected.

The fallout is real: Tax advisers warn that the UK's labyrinthine tax system becomes impossible to navigate without support, leading to errors, penalties, and lost revenue. Seb Maley, CEO of Qdos, slammed the situation: "Without effective communication channels, many taxpayers are left to navigate unclear rules on their own. This can easily lead to mistakes and ultimately, non-compliance." In one egregious example, 44,000 callers were cut off after waiting over an hour in 2024 alone. Taxpayers footing the bill for HMRC's salaries are essentially paying for ghost workers, as services crumble under the weight of absenteeism.

Unpacking the Root Causes: A Toxic "Sick Note Culture"

What's fuelling this absenteeism crisis? Post-pandemic mental health issues play a role, with long-term sickness absences rising from 2.8 days per civil servant in 2021 to 3.5 in 2023. But critics point to deeper cultural rot. Elliot Keck from the TaxPayers’ Alliance didn't mince words: "HMRC isn’t the only department with a lethargic attitude to work; sick note culture is rife amongst the Civil Service. Millions of days are being lost, costing taxpayers a fortune and sapping productivity."

Senior Tory MP Esther McVey went further, calling public sector sickness levels "nothing short of a scandal" and questioning why public employees seem "more unhealthy" than their private sector counterparts. She attributed it to a mindset where "sick days are an extension of holidays." Hybrid working policies, including mandates for 60% office time, may also encourage staff to call in sick rather than commute. HMRC's defence? Their rates are "in line with the UK workforce average," while touting £500 million in digital investments. But this rings hollow when services are failing spectacularly.

Stark Comparisons: Public vs. Private Sector Divide

The public-private chasm is glaring. Office for National Statistics data shows public sector sickness rates are nearly 50% higher than in the private sector. Private companies, facing market pressures, can't afford such laxity – they'd go bust. Yet HMRC, shielded by taxpayer funding, operates with impunity. Arkadiy Ukolov of Ulla Technology summed it up: "Every day taken sick is a day that slows down public services, stalls important work, and costs the taxpayer."

In a broader UK context, sick days have hit a 15-year high, with workers absent nearly two weeks on average, driven by mental health and long-term issues. But HMRC's figures exacerbate this, undermining confidence in government efficiency at a time when welfare costs are ballooning to £378 billion by 2029/30.

Urgent Calls for Reform and Accountability

Enough is enough. Taxpayers deserve better than a tax office riddled with absenteeism and excuses. Helen Whately demands stricter sick note protocols: "Too many sick notes are handed out without proper care or consideration." The TaxPayers’ Alliance urges civil service chiefs to "get a grip" and prioritise value for money.

Reforms could include tighter monitoring, incentives for attendance, and a cultural shift away from entitlement. As Labour pushes worker rights enhancements, including Statutory Sick Pay changes, the risk is entrenching this problem further. HMRC must be held accountable – or risk becoming a symbol of bureaucratic waste.

In conclusion, HMRC's 500,000+ sick days aren't just numbers; they're a betrayal of public trust. While staff recover at home, taxpayers endure delays, unanswered queries, and mounting costs. It's time for radical change to restore efficiency and fairness in our tax system. 

Share your thoughts: Have you been let down by HMRC?

Tax does have to be taxing.



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HMRC's Epic Fail: 4 Million Unanswered Calls Expose a Broken UK Tax System

In a damning revelation that's left UK taxpayers reeling, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has admitted to ignoring up to 4 million phone calls every year from desperate individuals and businesses struggling to make sense of the UK's labyrinthine tax rules. This isn't just a minor glitch in the system—it's a full-blown scandal that's plunging millions into financial uncertainty, costing the economy billions, and eroding public trust in one of the government's most vital institutions. As the complexity of the tax system skyrockets with endless rule changes, HMRC's helpline woes are leaving everyday people "in the dark," forcing them to guess their way through penalties, audits, and compliance nightmares.

If you're one of the countless frustrated taxpayers battling HMRC's unresponsive phone lines, you're not alone. This article dives deep into the HMRC unanswered calls crisis, uncovers the staggering human and economic toll, and calls out the tax authority's blatant incompetence. Keywords like "HMRC helpline problems," "unanswered HMRC calls," and "UK tax system frustration" are buzzing in searches because this issue is hitting home—hard.

The Shocking Scale of HMRC's Unanswered Calls: 4 Million Voices Ignored Annually

Picture this: You dial the HMRC helpline for urgent advice on your Self Assessment, VAT returns, or payroll taxes. The line rings... and rings... only to drop you into voicemail purgatory. According to top officials spilling the beans to MPs, as many as 4 million calls go unanswered each year. That's not a typo—four million. In 2023-24 alone, HMRC managed to answer just 66.4% of incoming calls, falling woefully short of their own 85% target.

This isn't a new low; it's a persistent embarrassment. Back in 2018, the taxman was already dodging over 4 million calls, but instead of fixing the rot, HMRC has let it fester into a full crisis by 2025. With Making Tax Digital (MTD) deadlines looming for self-employed workers and small businesses, unanswered HMRC calls spiked to over 1.1 million in recent months, as panicked filers scrambled for guidance. The result? A toxic brew of delayed payments, mounting interest charges, and avoidable errors that could land you in hot water with the taxman.

HMRC's helpline isn't just busy—it's a black hole. Average wait times have ballooned to a soul-crushing 23 minutes, turning what should be a quick query into an afternoon of agony. And if you do get through? Brace yourself for more frustration, as helpline staff have been caught making basic errors that leave taxpayers even more confused.

Why HMRC's Helpline Failures Are a Betrayal of UK Taxpayers and Businesses

The UK's tax system is already a beast—riddled with convoluted rules on everything from IR35 to capital gains allowances. Add in post-Brexit changes, inflation-linked thresholds, and the relentless push towards digital-only filing, and it's no wonder people are dialling HMRC in droves. Yet, the very agency tasked with helping them is slamming the door in their faces.

• Taxpayers Left in the Lurch: Ordinary folks, from first-time filers to pensioners claiming allowances, are abandoned mid-crisis. Unanswered calls mean missed deadlines, incorrect returns, and surprise penalties that can run into thousands. One self-employed tradesperson told of waiting hours only to be hung up on, leading to a £2,000 fine for a simple VAT query.

• Businesses Bleeding Cash: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) rely on HMRC for payroll, corporation tax, and R&D relief advice. With 4 million unanswered calls, businesses are stalling operations, hiring expensive accountants as a stopgap, and facing cashflow crunches. The knock-on effect? Job losses and stifled growth in an economy already limping post-pandemic.

• Vulnerable Groups Hit Hardest: Low-income families, the elderly, and those with disabilities—who may not be tech-savvy enough for HMRC's glitchy online portals—are disproportionately screwed. The tax authority's "extra support service" is a joke, with even those specially trained lines overwhelmed.

Parliament's spending watchdog didn't mince words: HMRC is deliberately degrading its phone services to herd everyone online, regardless of whether they're equipped for it. This isn't efficiency—it's callous neglect, prioritizing cost-cutting over citizen service.

The £46 Billion Elephant in the Room: How Unanswered HMRC Calls Are Robbing the UK Economy

HMRC's incompetence isn't just annoying—it's expensive. Nearly £47 billion in owed taxes goes uncollected annually, partly because businesses can't get through to pay up or resolve disputes. That's right: While HMRC chases minor infractions with automated letters and audits, they're fumbling the big fish due to their own helpline blackouts. Experts warn that if those 4 million calls were answered, the Treasury could claw back up to £46 billion—enough to fund the NHS for months or slash national debt.

In 2025, with MTD for income tax rolling out in 2026, the stakes are higher than ever. Over 1 million unanswered calls during the phase-in period have already sparked a surge in MTD-related searches (up 43,000 per month), as self-employed Brits panic over compliance. HMRC's online alternatives? A disaster. Webchat and digital forms are slammed as "poor quality," riddled with bugs that cause more harm than good.

This systemic failure isn't saving money—it's haemorrhaging it. Tax evasion thrives in the shadows created by unanswered HMRC calls, while compliant payers foot the bill through higher rates and cuts elsewhere.

HMRC's Lame Excuses and the Urgent Need for Reform

HMRC's response? A shrug and a pivot to "go digital." But with helplines temporarily closing due to "technical issues" as recently as late 2024, and ongoing errors in 2025 tax codes causing payroll chaos, excuses ring hollow. The tax authority claims it's "shooting itself in the foot" by ignoring calls, yet invests peanuts in staffing or tech upgrades.

It's time for accountability. MPs must haul HMRC bosses before committees, demand a helpline overhaul with guaranteed answer rates, and scrap the punitive digital-only push. Taxpayers deserve better than a faceless bureaucracy that's more interested in evasion hunts than basic support.

Final Verdict: HMRC Must Fix Its Unanswered Calls Crisis Now

The 4 million unanswered HMRC calls per year aren't just statistics—they're a symptom of a rotten core in the UK's tax administration. This evisceration of HMRC's failures highlights a betrayal of trust that's costing lives, livelihoods, and the nation's coffers dearly. If you're fed up with HMRC helpline frustration, share your story in the comments, contact your MP, or explore accountant alternatives to navigate the mess.

For the latest on HMRC problems and UK tax system tips, bookmark this page and subscribe for updates. Don't let HMRC leave you in the dark—demand change today!

Tax does have to be taxing.



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Avoidance vs Evasion

Tax does have to be taxing.


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Did Rayner Did Evade Taxes?

 

In a stunning admission that has rocked the Labour government, UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has confessed to underpaying stamp duty on her luxurious £800,000 seaside flat in Hove, East Sussex. The revelation, which came after days of intense media scrutiny and mounting pressure, sees Rayner agreeing to cough up the additional tax while referring herself to the Prime Minister's ethics adviser for investigation. 

But this mea culpa raises serious questions: How did a senior politician, who also serves as Housing Secretary, manage to "accidentally" dodge around £40,000 in taxes? And does this point to deliberate fraud and deception? 

Source The PalArse of Westminster

Suffice to say, she's currently blaming her adviser/advisers! 

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"

Future PM Endorses Tax Avoidance

 

It is gratifying to see that Angela Rayner, who will be our next Prime Minister in the coming months, has given her full throated approval and support to tax avoidance (which, as I am regularly reminding loyal readers, is perfectly legal).

Quite the volte farce from her earlier pronouncements of tax avoidance.

 

This Damascene Moment came to her when she purchased her £800K second house in Hove. Originally her office were telling the media that this was her second home necessary for work, and that her main residence remained in Ashton-under-Lyme. However, that seems to have been changed as she is now claiming Hove is her only residence (thus saving her £40K on second home stamp duty); as she has removed her name from the deeds of the Ashton-under-Lyme property.

Oddly though, for council tax purposes, she has told Tameside council that she still lives at Ashton-under-Lyme thus ensuring she avoids paying second home premium on council tax on her property there.

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"

HMRC's Defies Surpeme Court and Allows Trans Staff in Women's Toilets

In a shocking display of institutional arrogance, HMRC (HM Revenue and Customs) has been caught red-handed defying a landmark UK Supreme Court ruling on transgender access to single-sex spaces. By permitting trans women—biological males—to use women's toilets, HMRC is not only flouting the law but also jeopardising the safety, privacy, and rights of female employees. This HMRC transgender toilet policy scandal highlights a dangerous prioritisation of ideology over legal clarity and women's protections, sparking widespread outrage. As taxpayers footing the bill, we must demand accountability from this rogue agency.

The Supreme Court Ruling: A Clear Victory for Biological Reality in Single-Sex Spaces

Back in April 2025, the UK Supreme Court delivered a pivotal judgment that redefined the legal landscape for gender and sex under the Equality Act 2010. The ruling explicitly stated that "sex" refers to biological sex at birth, not gender identity or even a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). This means terms like "woman" and "man" in the Act are grounded in biology, allowing single-sex spaces—such as women's toilets, changing rooms, and showers—to exclude individuals based on their biological sex if it's a proportionate means to achieve a legitimate aim.

The decision was hailed by gender-critical groups as a much-needed clarification to protect women's rights, while some trans advocacy organisations decried it as a setback. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) quickly issued interim guidance, emphasising that the law takes effect immediately and that organisations must align their policies accordingly. No more ambiguity: women's spaces are for biological women, full stop. Yet, HMRC seems to think it's above this Supreme Court ruling on transgender toilet access.

HMRC's Policy: A Blatant Act of Defiance Against the Law

Despite the crystal-clear Supreme Court directive, HMRC's internal guidance—revealed through a Freedom of Information request—brazenly instructs transitioning employees to "use the toilet appropriate to your new gender." This policy, part of their "Gender reassignment - Getting ready for your first day in your new role" document, effectively grants trans women access to female-only facilities, ignoring the biological sex distinction mandated by the court.

Critics argue this is nothing short of "unlawful," accusing HMRC of adhering to "Stonewall law"—a reference to the influence of pro-trans lobby groups like Stonewall, which have long pushed for self-ID policies over biological protections. By allowing biological males into women's toilets, HMRC is creating a hostile environment where female staff could face discrimination, harassment, or worse. This isn't inclusivity; it's institutional negligence that tramples on the Equality Act's provisions for single-sex exemptions.

Why HMRC's Transgender Toilet Policy is Discriminatory

Single-sex spaces exist for a reason—to provide safety and privacy, especially in vulnerable settings like toilets. The Supreme Court ruling affirmed that excluding trans individuals from these spaces isn't discrimination if it's justified, yet HMRC is steamrolling ahead, potentially exposing women to risks.

Gender-critical campaigners like Fiona McAnena from Sex Matters have eviscerated HMRC for prioritising trans rights over those of biological women, warning of potential legal battles that taxpayers will ultimately fund. Susan Smith from For Women Scotland echoed this, stating that the public would be appalled at the prospect of footing the bill for HMRC's unlawful policies. This isn't just a policy glitch; it's a systemic failure that reeks of virtue-signalling at the expense of real women's rights.

Moreover, this scandal isn't isolated. Similar pushback has occurred at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), where staff revolted against single-sex toilet proposals, highlighting the toxic influence of activist agendas in public bodies. HMRC's stance not only defies the Supreme Court but also undermines public trust in government institutions.

Public Outcry: HMRC Faces Backlash from All Sides

The backlash has been swift and severe. Headlines from major outlets have blasted HMRC for its "defiance," with accusations flying that the agency is operating outside the law. Social media is ablaze with calls for reform, and women's rights groups are mobilising to challenge this policy head-on. Even the EHRC has reiterated that the Supreme Court's judgment is binding now, urging organisations to seek legal advice rather than drag their feet.

UN experts and human rights watchdogs have weighed in on the broader implications, warning of legal uncertainty—but for HMRC, the path is clear: comply or face consequences. Ignoring this isn't progressive; it's regressive and reckless.

HMRC's Pathetic Response: Empty Promises and Evasion

In a weak attempt at damage control, an HMRC spokesperson claimed the organisation "complies fully with existing statutory guidance" and will adapt to updates as required. But this rings hollow— the law is already in effect, and their policy blatantly contradicts it. Why the delay? Is it incompetence, ideological capture, or sheer hubris? Whatever the reason, HMRC's inaction speaks volumes about their disregard for the Supreme Court and women's safety.

Time for Accountability: HMRC Must Be Held to the Fire

This isn't about hating trans people; it's about upholding the law, protecting biological women, and ensuring single-sex spaces remain safe. Taxpayers deserve better than an agency that plays fast and loose with justice.

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"

HMRC Car Tax Update: Drivers Slammed with 400% Hike in Costs as Thousands Face 'Unaffordable' Charges

In a move that's sparking outrage across the UK, HMRC's latest car tax update has hit drivers hard, with some facing a staggering 400% increase in costs. Implemented in April 2025, this change targets double-cab pick-up trucks, reclassifying them from commercial vehicles to cars for tax purposes. The result? Thousands of motorists, including farmers, tradespeople, and everyday drivers, are now burdened with "unaffordable" charges that could add hundreds or even thousands of pounds to their annual bills. If you're searching for details on the HMRC car tax hike 2025 or VED road tax increases, read on to uncover why this policy is being labelled as a brutal attack on working Brits.

What Exactly is the HMRC Car Tax Update Causing This 400% Hike?

The controversy stems from HMRC's decision to eliminate a long-standing tax loophole for double-cab pick-up trucks. Previously, these versatile vehicles—think models like the Ford Ranger or Toyota Hilux—were treated as light goods vehicles, qualifying for a flat-rate Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax of around £3,960 per year for company car users. But as of April 2025, HMRC has reclassified them as cars, subjecting them to BiK rates based on CO2 emissions and list price.

This shift means drivers could see their tax bills skyrocket by up to 400%, with some facing annual charges exceeding £15,000. For higher-rate taxpayers, the effective cost could be even more punishing. HMRC claims the change closes a "tax advantage" exploited by non-commercial users, but critics argue it's a stealth tax grab that ignores the practical needs of those who rely on these vehicles for work.

Adding insult to injury, this isn't an isolated tweak. The 2025/26 Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates have seen broad increases across the board. First-year road tax for high-emission cars has doubled in some bands, and even electric vehicle (EV) owners are now paying VED for the first time, ending their zero-tax exemption. Luxury cars over £40,000 face an additional £410 surcharge, a threshold that's increasingly catching mid-range models as prices rise.

How the 400% Car Tax Hike is Hammering Thousands of UK Drivers

Imagine you're a self-employed builder or a rural farmer who depends on a double-cab pick-up for hauling tools and equipment. Under the old rules, your tax was manageable—a fixed amount that didn't fluctuate wildly. Now, with the HMRC car tax update, you're lumped in with luxury sedan owners, paying BiK based on emissions that these rugged trucks naturally produce in higher amounts.

- Cost Breakdown: For a typical double-cab like the Ford Ranger (emitting around 200g/km CO2), the BiK rate jumps to 37% of the vehicle's value. At a £40,000 list price, that's a taxable benefit of £14,800—over 370% more than before. For 40% taxpayers, this translates to an extra £5,920 in income tax annually.  

- Who’s Hit Hardest?: Tradespeople, agricultural workers, and small business owners make up the bulk of affected drivers. Estimates suggest thousands are impacted, with many calling the charges "unaffordable" amid rising fuel costs and inflation.

- Broader Ripple Effects: Even non-company car users face higher VED rates. Standard rates for petrol and diesel cars rose to £190 in April 2025, while plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) see company car tax perks eroded starting this year.

This isn't just about numbers—it's about livelihoods. Online forums are ablaze with frustration, with Reddit users decrying the changes as "anti-motorist" and questioning how families can afford to keep their vehicles on the road.

Why HMRC Deserves to Be Eviscerated for This Disastrous Policy

Let's not mince words: HMRC's car tax update is a tone-deaf, revenue-hungry assault on ordinary drivers. While the government touts it as "fairness," it's anything but. By reclassifying double-cab pick-ups without adequate transition periods or exemptions for genuine commercial use, HMRC is punishing those who need these vehicles most. It's a classic case of bureaucratic overreach, ignoring real-world realities in favour of filling Treasury coffers—expected to rake in an extra £400 million from VED hikes alone.

Critics, including motoring experts and driver advocacy groups, have slammed the move as shortsighted. "This 400% hike is unaffordable for thousands," echoes the sentiment from recent reports, highlighting how it exacerbates the cost-of-living crisis. And let's not forget the hypocrisy: As the UK pushes for net-zero, taxing EVs and hybrids more heavily sends mixed messages, deterring the shift to greener transport.

HMRC's track record isn't helping. From delayed refunds to confusing guidance on the new rules, drivers are left navigating a minefield of paperwork and penalties. If this is "simplifying" the tax system, as officials claim, then it's a failure on every level.

 The Bigger Picture: 2025 VED Road Tax Increases and What They Mean for You

This double-cab debacle is part of a wider wave of car tax changes in 2025:

| Vehicle Type | Key Change | Estimated Cost Increase | 

| Double-Cab Pick-Ups | Reclassified as cars for BiK | Up to 400% (e.g., £3,960 to £15,000+) | 

| High-Emission New Cars | First-year VED doubled | £2,000+ for >255g/km CO2 |

| Electric Vehicles | End of zero-tax exemption | £190 standard rate from year 2 |

| Luxury Cars (>£40k) | Surcharge extension to EVs | +£410 annually for 5 years |

| Plug-in Hybrids | Reduced BiK incentives | 2-5% rate increases phased in |

These hikes, effective from April 1, 2025, are indexed to inflation and CO2 bands, ensuring future pain for non-EV owners.

Time to Fight Back Against HMRC's Unfair Car Tax Hike

The HMRC car tax update isn't just a policy—it's a betrayal of drivers already squeezed by high fuel prices and insurance premiums. If you're affected by this 400% hike or the broader VED increases, don't stay silent. Contact your MP, join petitions, or explore tax-efficient alternatives like switching to compliant vans.

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"

HMRC's Woke Circus: How Taxpayer Cash Fuels a Festival of Futility While Services Collapse

In the labyrinthine halls of His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC), where one might expect diligent civil servants to be chasing down tax dodgers and ensuring the nation's coffers are filled, a far more insidious game is afoot. According to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by the Taxpayers’ Alliance, unearthed by the ever-vigilant Guido Fawkes, no fewer than 119 HMRC staffers are permitted to fritter away 20% of their working hours on seven so-called "staff networks." These aren't networks dedicated to improving tax compliance or streamlining bureaucracy—no, they're a smorgasbord of identity politics playgroups: Carers, Disability, PRISM (LGBT+), Race, Religion or Belief, Sex and Gender, and Social Mobility. That's right, while the average Brit grapples with skyrocketing bills and a cost-of-living crisis, HMRC's pen-pushers are busy virtue-signalling their way through the workday.

Let's break down the absurdity. Each of these seven networks boasts a bloated hierarchy: one Network Chair, two Deputy Chairs, and a whopping 14 Regional Steering Group Members. Do the math—that's 17 leadership roles per network, multiplied by seven, equalling 119 cosseted positions. At 20% time allocation, this equates to 23.8 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff members doing anything but their actual jobs. And what are they up to? Recent events include gems like ‘Our Voices Matter’ (because apparently, the voices of overworked taxpayers don't), a ‘Multicultural Event in Portsmouth’ (sounds like a taxpayer-funded party), and ‘Dyslexia from a Cultural Perspective’ (as if dyslexia needed a DEI spin to be addressed). This isn't public service; it's a taxpayer-subsidised therapy session for the perpetually offended.

Now, let's talk money—because that's what HMRC is supposed to be good at handling, right? The median salary in the Civil Service, which includes HMRC staff, stands at £35,680 as of 2025. Crunch the numbers: 23.8 FTE multiplied by £35,680 comes to approximately £850,000 annually. That's nearly a million pounds of your hard-earned cash diverted from essential services to fund this ideological indulgence. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Guido Fawkes also revealed that HMRC has ballooned its internal 'Equality and Diversity' team to 30 full-time staff, further bloating the bureaucracy with roles that seem designed to justify their own existence. Add in the untracked hours spent on these networks—HMRC admits it doesn't even bother monitoring them—and you're looking at a black hole of waste that could fund real priorities, like hiring more agents to process tax returns on time.

But the real scandal isn't just the squandered resources; it's the glaring hypocrisy. While HMRC staff lounge in these echo chambers of enlightenment, the agency's core performance is in freefall. In 2023–24, HMRC answered a pitiful 66.4% of customers' attempts to speak to an adviser, far below their 85% target, with average wait times exceeding 23 minutes. Complaints are piling up: In the first quarter of 2025, Tier 1 complaints saw a not-upheld rate hovering around 55%, while Tier 2 escalations revealed partial or full upholding in a significant chunk of cases. Taxpayers are left on hold, fuming, as their queries about self-assessments, VAT refunds, or child benefits go unanswered. Meanwhile, HMRC's latest performance update for April to June 2025 shows continued misses on key targets, with service levels dipping further amid what they euphemistically call "challenges." It's a damning indictment: As call queues stretch into oblivion and errors mount, these networks provide a convenient escape hatch for staff to avoid the drudgery of actual work.

This isn't an isolated folly; it's symptomatic of a deeper rot in Whitehall's woke obsession. Just last week, the Taxpayers’ Alliance highlighted HMRC's near-miss with an hour-long session titled 'The Guilt of Being British'—mercifully cancelled after public backlash, but emblematic of the self-flagellating nonsense infiltrating public institutions. How can an agency tasked with enforcing fiscal responsibility justify such frivolous distractions? In an era of record tax burdens—where the average worker toils until June just to pay off the government—HMRC's priorities are grotesquely misplaced. They're not collecting taxes; they're collecting grievances.

It's high time for a reckoning. Scrap these networks, redirect the staff back to their desks, and focus on what HMRC was created for: efficient tax administration, not endless navel-gazing. Taxpayers deserve better than to fund this circus of complacency. If HMRC won't clean house, perhaps the new government should—with an axe to the budget for such banalities. After all, the only "network" that matters is the one connecting hardworking Brits to a functional public service. Anything less is theft by another name.

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"

EDI Must DIE - HMRC's Diversity Delusions: Prioritising Pronouns Over Phone Lines

In a move that perfectly encapsulates the bloated, out-of-touch bureaucracy plaguing Britain's public sector, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has quietly ballooned its Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) team to 30 staff members. This expansion, revealed through successive Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, shows a steady climb from 21 employees on January 1, 2024, to 25 by June 1, 2024, and now 30 as of July 11, 2025. Meanwhile, taxpayers desperate for basic assistance are left rotting on hold, with average wait times exceeding 23 minutes and only two-thirds of calls even being answered. If this isn't a glaring case of misplaced priorities, what is?

HMRC's official line on this EDI empire-building is as predictably vague as it is unconvincing: “HMRC is committed to reflecting diverse communities and being an inclusive and respectful place to work, in line with Civil Service values. This supports our delivery of strategic objectives and helps us to provide the best service for customers.” One can't help but wonder: how exactly does a larger EDI team translate to better tax collection or customer support? Perhaps they're devising diverse ways to ignore phone calls, or inclusive strategies for hanging up on frustrated callers. The query cheekily leaves it "up to co-conspirators to guess how," but let's speculate: maybe EDI workshops teach staff to apologise in multiple languages before disconnecting, or ensure that hold music represents a rainbow of cultural tunes. Whatever the rationale, it's clear that HMRC's commitment to "diversity" doesn't extend to diverse taxpayer needs—like, say, actually getting through on the phone.

This EDI obsession comes at a time when HMRC's customer service has plummeted to depths that would embarrass a third-world call centre. In the first 11 months of 2023-24, the average wait time to speak to an advisor was nearly 23 minutes, up from just five minutes in 2018-19. Only 66.4% of call attempts were answered, falling woefully short of the 85% target. Taxpayers collectively wasted 798 years on hold in 2022-23—more than double the time from 2019-20. And in a particularly cruel twist, over 44,000 callers were abruptly cut off after waiting 70 minutes in 2023-24, a 535% spike from the previous year. As one exasperated X user put it, "HMRC must burn," recounting how agents simply hang up when queries get too complex. Another highlighted language barriers, with staff unable to communicate clearly in English—ironic for an agency serving a predominantly English-speaking nation.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) didn't mince words in its damning report, accusing HMRC of deliberately degrading phone services to force people online. PAC Chair Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown blasted the agency for eroding public trust, noting that digital alternatives aren't ready or suitable for everyone—seven million people can't even use them. HMRC's push to "digital-first" might sound modern, but it's a smokescreen for chronic underfunding and inefficiency. Years of Tory cuts left HMRC understaffed and demoralised, with inexperienced agents and outdated IT systems. Now, under Labour, the bloat continues: EDI teams grow while core functions atrophy. As Reform UK supporter Rupert Lowe demanded, the leadership should be sacked for showing "ZERO respect for the people paying their wages."

Let's not forget the bigger picture: HMRC's failures aren't just annoying—they're costly. Uncollected debts hit £46.8 billion in the 2023-24 tax gap, with £5 billion written off as unrecoverable. Fraud in schemes like R&D tax reliefs persists due to insufficient checks. Yet, resources are diverted to EDI navel-gazing, including seminars on the "guilt of being British"—held during office hours, no less. This isn't inclusion; it's indoctrination on the taxpayer's dime. As one X post fumed, "Bureaucrats taking our money & attacking our core values & nation."

HMRC claims recent improvements, like reducing wait times to 11 minutes and meeting some targets in late 2024. But scepticism abounds—complaints surged 65% last year, with £718,000 paid in compensation for delays. And with plans for a new contact platform in 2026-27 promising callbacks and wait estimates, why the foot-dragging? The National Audit Office (NAO) nailed it: HMRC's digital dreams haven't eased pressures, and service levels have been "far below" expectations for years.

It's time to eviscerate this nonsense. Slash the EDI bloat, hire competent staff who can answer phones in under an hour, and focus on collecting taxes rather than virtue-signalling. Taxpayers aren't "co-conspirators" in some woke agenda—they're the ones footing the bill for this farce. If HMRC can't pick up the phone, perhaps we should stop picking up the tab.

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"

HMRC’s Anti-British Training Courses: A Betrayal of Public Trust

In a shocking display of ideological overreach, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the very institution tasked with upholding the financial backbone of the United Kingdom, has been caught peddling divisive and anti-British training courses to its staff. These courses, cloaked in the guise of progressive enlightenment, reportedly include sessions that promote feelings of “guilt” for being British and push narratives rooted in critical race theory and other controversial frameworks. This is not just a misstep—it’s a grotesque betrayal of the public’s trust and a dangerous precedent for a government body that should embody impartiality and national unity.

A Curriculum of Division

According to reports, including an exclusive by The Daily Mail, HMRC staff have been subjected to training that encourages them to grapple with the supposed “guilt of being British.” Such sessions allegedly delve into critical race theory, a framework that frames history and society through the lens of systemic oppression, often casting entire nations or ethnic groups as inherently culpable. For a taxpayer-funded institution like HMRC, whose role is to collect revenue and ensure compliance with tax law, to indulge in such ideological exercises is not only irrelevant but actively undermines its credibility.

Why is HMRC, an agency meant to focus on numbers, compliance, and economic efficiency, diverting resources to workshops that appear designed to shame employees for their national identity? The answer lies in a broader cultural malaise where public institutions are increasingly co-opted by activist agendas. These courses, far from fostering unity or improving workplace efficiency, sow division and resentment. They alienate employees who may feel targeted for their heritage while distracting from the core mission of tax collection—a mission that affects every citizen, regardless of their background.

The Public’s Money, Wasted

HMRC’s budget comes from the British taxpayer. Every pound spent on these training courses is a pound diverted from improving tax collection systems, combating fraud, or supporting public services like the NHS or schools. The irony is palpable: an agency responsible for fiscal responsibility is squandering resources on ideological indoctrination. Posts on X have highlighted public outrage at this misuse of funds, with sentiments echoing that HMRC should focus on its actual job rather than playing social engineer.

Consider the scale of HMRC’s operations. In 2022-23, the agency had only 397 specialists tackling profit shifting by multinational corporations, a critical issue costing the Treasury billions. Yet, instead of investing in more staff or better training to address complex financial crimes, HMRC is apparently prioritising sessions that lecture employees on “white privilege” or the supposed sins of British history. This is not just a misallocation of resources; it’s a deliberate choice to prioritise ideology over efficacy.

Undermining National Cohesion

The United Kingdom is a diverse nation, built on a shared sense of identity and purpose. For a government body to promote narratives that frame Britishness as something to be ashamed of is not only divisive but dangerous. It erodes the social contract that binds citizens to their institutions. When HMRC staff are taught to view their country through a lens of guilt, how can they be expected to serve its people with impartiality? The risk is that such training fosters a culture of self-loathing within the civil service, which could translate into biased decision-making or policies that unfairly target certain groups.

This is not an isolated incident. Similar concerns have been raised about other government departments, such as the Home Office, where critical race theory classes have reportedly been conducted. The pattern suggests a troubling trend: unelected bureaucrats are using their positions to push ideological agendas that have little to no public mandate. The British public did not vote for their tax agency to become a classroom for radical social theories—they expect it to collect taxes fairly and efficiently.

A Lack of Accountability

What makes this scandal even more egregious is the lack of transparency and accountability. HMRC has not publicly defended these courses or provided a clear rationale for their inclusion in staff training. The absence of open dialogue fuels suspicion that these programs are being implemented under the radar, shielded from public scrutiny. When whistleblowers and media outlets like The Daily Mail expose such practices, the response is often silence or deflection rather than an honest reckoning.

The government must hold HMRC to account. If these courses are deemed essential, then let them be debated openly in Parliament. Let the public see the curriculum, the costs, and the justification. If, as critics suspect, these sessions are little more than ideological posturing, then they should be scrapped immediately. The civil service is not a playground for activists—it exists to serve the public, not to lecture them on their supposed moral failings.

The Bigger Picture

HMRC’s flirtation with anti-British training is symptomatic of a broader cultural shift within public institutions. Across the Western world, government agencies are increasingly adopting frameworks that prioritise identity politics over merit, unity, and competence. In the UK, this trend is particularly jarring given the nation’s history of resilience and pragmatism. The British people have faced wars, economic hardship, and social change with a stoic commitment to fairness and common sense. They deserve a tax agency that reflects those values, not one that undermines them.

The public reaction on platforms like X underscores the growing frustration with this kind of institutional overreach. Users have called out the absurdity of spending taxpayer money on “woke” initiatives while core services struggle. The sentiment is clear: the British public wants their institutions to focus on delivering results, not preaching ideology.

A Call to Action

HMRC must immediately cease these anti-British training courses and conduct a full audit of its training programs. Every pound spent on ideological workshops should be redirected to hiring more tax specialists, improving digital infrastructure, or cracking down on tax evasion. The agency must also commit to transparency, publishing the content and cost of all training programs for public review.

The British people deserve better than a tax agency that uses their money to fund divisive, anti-national rhetoric. HMRC’s role is to serve the public, not to lecture its employees on the supposed evils of their country’s history. It’s time for HMRC to get back to basics: collect taxes, fight fraud, and leave the social engineering to others. Anything less is a betrayal of the trust placed in them by the British 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"

Juniors Fucked Up IHT

 

REVEALED: Entire HMRC Inheritance Tax Analysis Team Is Fewer Than Five ‘Junior Officials' https://t.co/NHN8xYalue pic.twitter.com/Fj5uOb5NZQ

— Guido Fawkes (@GuidoFawkes) August 1, 2025

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"

Internal Expert of The Year

 

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"

HMRC’s Transformation Roadmap: Ambitious Promises Meet a Troubled Track Record

 

On July 21, 2025, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) released its Transformation Roadmap, a £7 billion-a-year plan to modernise the UK’s tax and customs system by 2030. Aimed at achieving 90% digital interactions, closing the 5.3% tax gap, and delivering £773 million in efficiencies by 2028-29, the roadmap promises a digital-first tax authority with AI-driven compliance and simplified processes.

 Championed by Exchequer Secretary James Murray MP, it includes over 50 IT projects, new online services, and 7,900 additional staff. However, HMRC’s long history of underperformance, from botched IT rollouts to poor customer service, casts a shadow over these lofty goals. Below, we analyse the roadmap’s strengths and weaknesses, grounding our assessment in HMRC’s well-documented failures to deliver on past promises.

The Good: Aspirations Amid Scepticism

1. Digital-First Vision

The roadmap’s goal of 90% digital interactions by 2030, anchored by a new online Pay As You Earn (PAYE) service for 35 million taxpayers, aims to streamline tax management via the HMRC app and Personal Tax Account. AI-driven nudges to prevent errors during tax submissions could reduce compliance burdens for honest taxpayers. If successful, this could align with global trends toward digital tax systems. However, HMRC’s track record—such as the troubled 2016 Making Tax Digital (MTD) rollout, plagued by delays and software glitches—suggests execution will be a challenge. The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) welcomes the digital focus but warns that digital exclusion risks leaving vulnerable taxpayers behind, a problem HMRC has repeatedly failed to address adequately in past digital initiatives.

2. Tackling the Tax Gap

The roadmap’s commitment to closing the 5.3% tax gap (2023-24) by hiring 5,500 compliance officers and 2,400 debt management staff, supported by AI tools, targets an additional £7.5 billion in annual revenue by 2029-30. Measures like cracking down on offshore evasion and increasing fraud charging decisions by 20% sound promising. Yet, HMRC’s history of ineffective enforcement—evidenced by the 2019 Loan Charge debacle, which misjudged contractor tax schemes and led to widespread hardship—raises doubts about its ability to implement sophisticated AI-driven compliance without errors or unfair outcomes. Past overzealous pursuits have often alienated taxpayers rather than recovered revenue.

3. Simplification and Stakeholder Engagement

Simplifying tax processes and integrating the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) into HMRC by April 2026 could streamline property tax administration. Collaborating with tax advisers and software providers, alongside requiring adviser registration, aims to raise standards. The roadmap’s use of operational sandboxes to test services is a nod to private-sector innovation. However, HMRC’s past attempts at simplification, like the 2010 Real Time Information (RTI) system, were marred by errors that frustrated employers and delayed compliance. Stakeholder engagement has often been superficial, with groups like the Bonded Warehousekeepers Association noting HMRC’s tendency to consult but ignore feedback.

4. Support for Vulnerable Taxpayers

The roadmap pledges to maintain phone and in-person support for digitally excluded or vulnerable taxpayers, a critical nod to inclusivity. But HMRC’s customer service record is abysmal—2023 saw average call wait times of 25 minutes, with 10% of callers hanging up before reaching an agent. Promises of accessible support ring hollow when HMRC has consistently failed to resource helplines adequately, leaving taxpayers stranded during peak filing periods.

The Bad: A Legacy of Failure Looms Large

1. Unrealistic Ambitions

The 90% digital interaction target by 2030 is ambitious but ignores HMRC’s history of overpromising and underdelivering. The 2005 merger of Inland Revenue and Customs Service promised modernisation but led to years of chaos, with lost records and delayed refunds. The roadmap’s reliance on over 50 IT projects is daunting, given HMRC’s track record of botched IT implementations—like the 2018 MTD for VAT rollout, which overwhelmed small businesses with compliance costs. X posts from users like @DavidMenziesCA highlight scepticism about HMRC’s capacity to deliver complex digital infrastructure on time or within budget.

2. Scrapping MTD for Corporation Tax

HMRC’s decision to abandon MTD for Corporation Tax (section 5.2) is a glaring misstep, signalling a retreat from digital modernisation. This move, noted on X by @TaxProUK, has left businesses uncertain about future compliance requirements. HMRC’s failure to propose a clear alternative echoes its mishandling of MTD’s phased rollout, which saw multiple delays and scope reductions since 2016. This decision undermines confidence in the roadmap’s digital vision and suggests HMRC is already backtracking on key commitments.

3. Over-Reliance on AI

The roadmap’s heavy bet on AI for compliance, nudges, and debt management assumes technological reliability that HMRC has rarely achieved. Past attempts at tech-driven solutions, like the 2014 Connect system for risk profiling, led to false positives and unfair penalties for compliant taxpayers. As @StuartMaggs on X notes, the roadmap’s AI focus, wrapped in vague jargon, risks oversimplifying complex tax issues. Without transparent safeguards, AI could amplify errors, especially given HMRC’s poor data management history, as seen in the 2007 loss of 25 million child benefit records.

4. Workforce and Cultural Inertia

Hiring 7,900 new staff sounds impressive, but HMRC’s chronic understaffing and high turnover—evidenced by a 15% vacancy rate in 2022—suggest challenges in recruitment and retention. The roadmap’s admission that it “will not always get everything right first time” is a candid but worrying acknowledgment, given HMRC’s pattern of prolonged disruptions, like the 2020 Self-Assessment portal outages that delayed filings. Cultural resistance to new systems, as seen in slow staff adoption of RTI, could further derail progress.

Reality Check: Can HMRC Break the Cycle?

HMRC’s *Transformation Roadmap* offers a compelling vision but is haunted by decades of mismanagement. From the 2007 data breach to the 2019 Loan Charge controversy and ongoing customer service failures, HMRC has consistently struggled to execute ambitious reforms. The roadmap’s goals—digital transformation, tax gap reduction, and simplification—are laudable but hinge on overcoming entrenched inefficiencies. The abandonment of MTD for Corporation Tax and vague AI plans suggest HMRC may already be setting itself up for failure. Stakeholders, including LITRG and X users like @TaxProUK, demand transparency and regular progress updates, but HMRC’s history of poor communication offers little reassurance.

To succeed, HMRC must break from its past by prioritising robust project management, genuine stakeholder input, and realistic timelines. Without these, the roadmap risks becoming another chapter in HMRC’s saga of unfulfilled promises, leaving taxpayers and businesses to bear the cost of delays and errors. For now, the roadmap is a high-stakes gamble—one that HMRC’s track record suggests it is ill-equipped to win. Taxpayers await proof that this time will be different.

Tax does have to be taxing.



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HMRC’s Slow March Toward AI: A Missed Opportunity for Transformation

The recent announcement that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has established a “landing zone to safely exploit” generative artificial intelligence (AI) in its 2024/25 annual report sounds promising on the surface. It signals a step toward embracing cutting-edge technology to streamline operations and enhance public services. However, beneath the optimistic rhetoric lies a troubling reality: HMRC’s adoption of AI has been frustratingly slow, lagging behind both the private sector and the transformative potential of this technology. While the establishment of a dedicated AI framework is a welcome move, it’s hard to shake the sense that HMRC is playing catch-up in a race where others have already taken the lead.

A Decade of Hesitation

HMRC’s journey with AI is not new. As early as 2017, the organisation was exploring automation and machine learning, with initiatives like the Automation Delivery Centre aiming to automate 10 million processes by 2018. The Connect system, in use for over a decade, has been a cornerstone in combating tax evasion by aggregating data from diverse sources like the Land Registry and online marketplaces. Yet, despite these early forays, HMRC’s progress in leveraging more advanced AI, particularly generative AI, has been glacial. The private sector—think tech giants, financial institutions, and even mid-sized startups—has been harnessing AI for years to optimise processes, personalise customer experiences, and drive innovation. Meanwhile, HMRC’s efforts have felt like cautious tiptoeing rather than bold strides.

The Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) recent warning underscores this lag, stating that HMRC is “not well-placed to take advantage of the opportunities offered by technology, such as the development of artificial intelligence.” This critique stings because it highlights a systemic issue: a lack of urgency and strategic vision. While HMRC touts its “landing zone” for generative AI, the reality is that this framework feels like a belated response to a technological revolution that’s already reshaping industries worldwide.

The Promise of AI for HMRC

The potential for AI to transform HMRC’s operations is immense. Generative AI, capable of producing text, summarising data, and even generating code, could revolutionise how HMRC interacts with taxpayers. Current use cases, such as summarising customer helpline calls or powering chatbots for online advice, are promising but limited in scope. Imagine a world where AI-driven analytics predict tax evasion with pinpoint accuracy, where chatbots provide real-time, personalised guidance to taxpayers, or where AI streamlines recruitment and compliance processes to save time and resources. HMRC’s own report highlights tools like “Skill Scribe,” which simplifies recruitment, and a regional insights tool for labour market analysis—proof that the technology can deliver when applied.

Yet, these initiatives are still in their infancy. The department’s participation in a cross-government AI chatbot pilot and its use of AI for enhanced compliance targeting and fraud detection are steps in the right direction, but they feel like pilot projects rather than a comprehensive strategy. The fact that only 7,225 staff members completed AI-focused training in 2024/25, while commendable, is a drop in the bucket for an organisation of HMRC’s size. Scaling up AI adoption requires not just training but a cultural shift—one that embraces risk-taking and innovation over bureaucratic caution.

The Risks of Moving Too Slowly

HMRC’s slow adoption of AI isn’t just a missed opportunity; it’s a risk to its mission. Tax evasion and fraud are evolving, with criminals leveraging AI to create sophisticated scams, from phishing to voice cloning. A 2025 government report on the safety and security risks of generative AI warns that criminals are adopting the technology at the same pace as the general population, amplifying threats like fraud and data harvesting. If HMRC doesn’t accelerate its AI capabilities, it risks being outmanoeuvred by those it seeks to regulate.

Moreover, the public expects more from government services in the digital age. Taxpayers, accustomed to seamless experiences from private-sector platforms, are frustrated by clunky processes and long wait times. AI could alleviate these pain points—scheduling appointments, personalising taxpayer support, or automating repetitive tasks to free up staff for complex cases. But every year HMRC delays, it erodes public trust and misses chances to improve service delivery.

Ethical Concerns and the Need for Speed

To its credit, HMRC is taking steps to address ethical concerns, with an AI Ethics Working Group overseeing mandatory processes and ensuring transparency. This cautious approach is necessary—AI misuse could lead to biased outcomes or privacy breaches, as highlighted by the Information Commissioner’s Office and the UK’s AI governance frameworks. However, caution shouldn’t mean paralysis. The private sector has shown it’s possible to balance innovation with ethical safeguards, and HMRC must learn to do the same.

The “landing zone” concept is a step toward safe AI adoption, but it’s telling that it’s framed as a starting point rather than a mature strategy. Other government bodies, like the Government Digital Service (GDS), have been experimenting with AI for years, with projects like the GOV.UK chatbot showing tangible results. HMRC’s delay in reaching this stage suggests a lack of agility, perhaps rooted in bureaucratic inertia or resource constraints.

A Call for Bold Action

HMRC’s “landing zone” is a sign of progress, but it’s not enough. To truly harness AI’s potential, HMRC must move beyond pilot projects and incremental training. It needs a comprehensive AI strategy that prioritises rapid deployment, workforce upskilling, and collaboration with private-sector innovators. The government’s broader AI Opportunities Action Plan, which aims to make the UK an “AI superpower,” sets an ambitious tone. HMRC must align with this vision, not trail behind it.

The UK has a proud history of technological leadership, from Alan Turing’s foundational work to modern AI pioneers like DeepMind. HMRC, as a critical public institution, has a responsibility to embody this legacy. The establishment of a “landing zone” is a start, but it’s time for HMRC to stop taxiing on the runway and take flight. The longer it delays, the further it falls behind in a world where AI is no longer the future—it’s the present. 

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"