Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 20 December 2017 to Question 118847, what proportion of HM Revenue and Customs staff were engaged with their Learning Framework in the last 12 months; and which specialist areas those staff engaged with most frequently in that time period.

The ‘learning framework’ referred to in Question 118847 covers a range of learning programmes for new recruits as well as professional development opportunities for current staff to support them to maintain, and grow, their skills and knowledge. Each learning programme and development opportunity will be tailored to provide specific skills for the role and tax regime. So the time spent, and the activity undertaken, will vary depending on the role and the individual’s own knowledge and experience.

New recruits to tax roles have an induction programme which will be followed by technical and operational training which can take between 26 weeks and 30 months depending upon the level of specialist knowledge required. Current staff have a development plan which supports their ongoing professional development and provides at least 5 days each year to keep their skills up to date. The content of the development plan will be driven by the requirements of the tax regime and their particular role.