Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in what way he is supporting small businesses to remain compliant with (a) VAT and (b) customs paperwork.

As part of our recently launched Plan for Small Business, the Government is modernising the tax and customs system as referenced in HMRC’s Transformation Roadmap. This will include AI powered technology and personalised digital experiences making it easier for small businesses to navigate their tax affairs.

The new AI tools will also help small businesses avoid common tax mistakes and find the information they need. HMRC will continue to deepen its engagement with SMEs to understand their priorities in simplifying the processes and remain compliant with VAT returns and customs declarations.