Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what HMRC's full-time equivalent staffing levels were for (a) telephone and (b) webchat services providing businesses and individuals with advice on customs arrangements in each of the last 48 months.
Prior to 9 November 2020 customs & international trade telephone enquiries were handled through a combined Excise, Customs & international Trade (EXCIT) helpline. Demand for this line was significantly lower as the majority of the customer base, business and intermediaries alike, were experienced in trading on Rest of the World terms. Given the combined remit, HMRC are unable to provide the data requested.