Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that staff in the new counter-avoidance directorate of HM Revenue and Customs have received adequate training to deal with challenges to accelerated payment notices.

With regards to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) staff training on Accelerated Payments Notices, I would refer the hon. member to the answer I gave to a written question on 26 February 2015 (HC Deb, 26 February 2015, cW).

The number of HMRC officials currently engaged in dealing with Accelerated Payments Notices is 270Full Time Equivalents.

With regards to HMRC’s plans to report the progress on Accelerated Payments, I would refer the hon. member to my answer of 10 February (HC Deb, 10 February 2015, cW)