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.

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.

“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.”