Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of HMRC’s procedures for (a) identifying and (b) protecting people who are victims of crime.

The government takes the issue of fraud extremely seriously, recognising its impact on businesses and taxpayers.

HMRC regularly reviews its approach to identifying and supporting customers who are victims of crime to ensure they are provided with support tailored to their individual circumstances.

HMRC is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities under the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime in England and Wales, and equivalent frameworks in Scotland and Northern Ireland, ensuring they are afforded the rights and entitlements set out in the Code.

HMRC does this by ensuring guidance and training is in place for all advisors on how to identify taxpayers who need extra support and provide reasonable adjustments to meet their needs. For example, in certain circumstances HMRC can give an extension to a deadline or spend more time on the telephone to support an individual who needs extra help. Further information on this and other reasonable adjustments can be found at: Get help from HMRC if you need extra support: Help you can get - GOV.UK.

In addition, HMRC’s Fraud Prevention Centre focuses on protecting, detecting and responding to identity-related security issues, developing this service with improvements aimed at aligning with industry best practice.

HMRC has published its commitment to supporting customers in the HMRC Charter and the principles of support for customers who need extra help.