Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mel Stride and Stephen Morgan

Tuesday 5th March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Morgan (Portsmouth South) (Lab)]

22. HMRC has 2,000 fewer staff today than it did on the day of the referendum. Will the Minister explain the impact of HMRC cuts on the delayed timetable for the implementation of the UK’s future customs regime?

[Mel Stride]

I am confident that HMRC will be ready for the outcome of the EU negotiations, whatever that outcome is. We have taken on over 4,000 additional staff to ensure that we are ready, and we have of course invested £2 billion in additional funding since 2010 to ensure that HMRC can operate effectively.

HMRC Estate Transformation

Debate between Mel Stride and Stephen Morgan

Tuesday 29th January 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mel Stride]

There has already been an equality impact assessment. It is in the public domain, but I would be very happy to share it with the hon. Member.

[Stephen Morgan (Portsmouth South) (Lab)]

Seventy-nine per cent. of staff surveyed said that the plans undermine their ability to provide tax collection. Are HMRC staff wrong?

[Mel Stride]

What is wrong is the suggestion that we are not good at collecting tax. We are world class at collecting tax. We have a tax gap of just 5.7%. If we had the same tax gap that we had under the Labour party, the missing revenue would be enough to employ every policeman and woman in England and Wales. The Conservative way works; the Labour way squanders resources.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mel Stride and Stephen Morgan

Tuesday 6th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Morgan (Portsmouth South) (Lab)]

What role, if any, have the readiness for Brexit and resource levels of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs played in influencing the Prime Minister to consider extending the customs transition period?

[Mel Stride]

HMRC has a central role in ensuring that we are ready for Brexit, specifically in the unlikely event of a no-deal day one scenario. That has included the recruitment of 2,300 additional staff, and we will have an additional 5,000 staff by the end of the year. We are ready, and we will be ready, for wherever this deal lands.