HMRC chiefs spent nearly £1million on furniture before trying to close hotline for half a year
TAX bosses who tried to close their hotline for half the year had just spent nearly £1million on comfy chairs and furniture for staff.
HMRC chiefs signed a £852,000 deal with seat firm Posturite for three years starting last October.
Government contracts show that another £58,443 went on multi-coloured desk tops in January 2023, with the department saying they “provide a much better working environment for colleagues”.
Yet last Tuesday HMRC caused outrage when it announced plans to close its self-assessment hotline from April to September.
Bosses argued it would lead to more online use and require fewer staff — saving money.
But a day later they hastily reversed the decision after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt intervened.
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Joanna Marchong, at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said of the furniture spend: “Taxpayers will be furious, coughing up for thrones that will only collect dust.
"HMRC sits half-empty, yet vast sums are being splurged on office refurbs.
“They must ensure that bums are on seats if they want to justify these costly contracts.”
An HMRC spokesperson said: “The contract to provide staff with the desks and chairs they need to work at was decided through an open competition to get the best deal for taxpayers.
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“We’re halting the helpline changes as we recognise more needs to be done to ensure all taxpayers’ needs are met, while also encouraging them to move to online services.”