Taylor Review: Working Practices

Debate between Emma Lewell-Buck and Margot James

Tuesday 11th July 2017 Commons Chamber

[Margot James]

My hon. Friend will no doubt be pleased that Matthew Taylor very much agrees with his thesis.

[Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) (Lab)]

Over 1 million workers are being exploited by sham umbrella companies and bogus self-employment. Changes to tax policy are what is needed to tackle that, but the Government prohibited Matthew Taylor from making any firm recommendations on changing tax policy, so how seriously can we take the Minister’s comments today, and when on earth are the Government going to eventually address these tax anomalies?

[Margot James]

I assure the hon. Lady that no bar was put in front of Matthew Taylor; he was able to investigate as freely and as fairly as he saw fit. It is up to the Treasury to assess the tax situation and any potential loss of revenue, which of course arises due to bogus self-employment.