IFA North West Seminar Hits Back At The Treasury Select Committee’s HMRC Conclusions
The event held in the Ramada Salford Quays, named Changing Times: Instilling Confidence was severely dominated by the recent conclusions made by the Treasury Select Committee on HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) recent performance report.
The Treasury Select Committee who has concluded that ‘performance at HMRC remains mixed with considerable room for improvement’ also added that ‘Britain’s tax authority faced considerable challenges to make these improvements’.
The statement appears to be a stark contradiction to instructions government gave earlier in the year to HMRC as businesses faced one of the toughest economic climates in recent history. Businesses and in particular SME’s were given temporary respite by HMRC, to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on companies that simply weren’t prepared for the sharp downturn.
IFA President David Hunt who chaired the regional event in Manchester said:
“Today's seminar was very topical; it is practical for tax advisors…. Genuine support from HMRC for businesses but for only those that are viable, it is not propping up bad businesses.”
John Hornby District Society Chairman for the North West said:
“The politicians instructed HMRC to give time to pay to those who were struggling and then complain when the staff has problems collecting. The plain truth is that falling revenue is due to many factors, not least a growth in insolvent businesses and bankrupt individuals, cash flow difficulties and the ever-increasing problem of banks failing to lend money to those who would benefit. It is unfair to make HMRC staff scapegoats for poor economic management by the treasury and its masters.”
The conference that saw key speakers such as David Thornhill from Vantis BRS , Emma Neal from CCH Wolters Kluwer and Tanya Cox from HMRC Online Services, focused on instilling confidence and boosting morale amongst financial accountants in the North West region.
Workshops were also held throughout the day providing delegates with the opportunity to receive taxation, performance and financial support and advice. A three course pre dinner hosted by IFA President David Hunt was held the evening before the seminar, allowing guests to network and discuss topical issues such as the recent HMRC performance report.
The next stage of the seminars will see the IFA hold regional events in Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol and London. For more information on the IFA or attending an upcoming seminar please visit www.ifa.org.uk
ENDS
For more information on the IFA and their regional seminars please contact Emma Holehan.
T: 0113 218 0118 E: emma@ifa.org.uk
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