The Red Tape Challenge - just a waste of time ?

The Red Tape Challenge - just a waste of time ?

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The government has launched "The Red Tape Challenge" http://www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/home/index/.

The first "theme" was Retail. Forthcoming themes are  -

  • 19 May Road transportation
  • 9 June Equalities
  • 30 June Health and Safety
  • 14 July Manufacturing
  • 28 July Healthy living and social care
  • 11 Aug Media and creative services
  • 25 Aug Utilities and energy
  • 8 Sept Rail and merchant shipping
  • 22 Sept Mining and quarrying

Under "General regulations" are Health & Safety,  Environment, Equalities, Pensions, Employment & Company Law.

Not a mention of tax anywhere?  Does this mean that HMRC are perfect and all their red tape is vital to the country? Or is this cowardice by the government?

Replies (10)

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By thisistibi
17th May 2011 15:54

Did you read the FAQ?

Are any regulations excluded?

The exercise will not examine regulations in relation to tax or national security.

Why are tax regulations exempt from this exercise?

Separate arrangements are in place to simplify the tax system, led by the Office of Tax
Simplification (OTS).

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By cymraeg_draig
17th May 2011 16:04

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No - I didnt read FAQs.

As for the Office of Tax Simplification - it seems to work behind closed doors, it's deliberations are not open to the public and I see little sign of any transparency - or indeed any sign of simplification.

Does anyone actually believe that government's give a dam about the views of those who actually have to deal with their petty beaurocratic red tape? 

The OTS sound like something Sir Humphrey would have dreampt up on Yes Minister to keep the peasants quiet.  The dogs dinner known as Money Laundering is a prime example of the ill conceived beaurocratic nightmares conceived by governments totally separated from reality.

 

 

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By frustratedwithhmrc
17th May 2011 16:24

Score one for Tibi!

In fairness, given the glacial pace of the Office of Tax Simplification investigation, it might have helped for another the Cabinet Office to get involved. Might cause the OTS to pick up the pace a bit.

In truth, I'm not expecting miracles out of either review. They might get rid of a few rules and regs here and there, but I doubt if they can even keep pace with the rate at which Government generates new red tape.

Funny how even today the civil service so parodied in Yes Minister still survives and thrives.

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By justsotax
17th May 2011 16:32

not sure if this counts as red tape but.....

(i am sure we have all had this...)

Telephone call in...

Revenue - 'do you act for x client'

Accountant - yes....

Revenue - ' 'well we require XXXX info can you confirm this....'

Accountant - Would be only too glad to....could you just confirm the NI number/ref for said client (data protection etc etc)....

Revenue - 'emr well no...you need to tell me that....'

Accountant - 'well how do I know you are who you say you are.....if you cannot confirm it then could you write to us with your request...'

Revenue - '.....' phone goes dead.....

of course it could have been a bogus call...but it wasn't (as has happened before)....use of strict rules/procedures that are well thought out is fine by me....but it works both ways (and therefore all parties need to be considered) - I was only disappointed they didn't provide the first detail I asked for - I get the feeling they may have lost it when I then asked for a further 4 items and that failure to do so would mean I couldn't help.... 

 

 

 

 

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David Winch
By David Winch
17th May 2011 16:44

Money laundering regime

Steve O'Neill has just posted a very interesting update on amendments to the money lauindering regime in the Money Laundering & Crime Discussion Group.

David

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By thisistibi
17th May 2011 17:19

So cynical

The opportunity to provide feedback to the government is a positive step in my mind.  Is everyone aware of the government's e-petitions website (http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/)?  It was very interesting and in my mind successful, even if it simply forced a government response (a requirement where 500 signatories were collected on a particular matter).  The Scottish Parliament has a similar petitions system and performed a review of it in 2009, which listed some of the specific campaigns which have resulted in positive changes in Scotland. 

The Red Tape campagin will be positive even if it removes even a fraction of the red tape which exists.

The OTS has made some sensible recommendations to simply a very complex tax system (and has done so in a very short timeframe).... it might take a long time to implement those changes, but it's a lot better than the alternative - which is doing nothing?

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By ACDWebb
18th May 2011 09:42

The OTS

is also a very small group so has to be selective in areas it picks on

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By shenker
18th May 2011 10:46

Ask them for your Agent ID Number

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By cymraeg_draig
18th May 2011 10:51

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Just received a call from HMRC - they 'phoned me and asked me to prove my identity.  I simply assured them that I know perfectly well who I am as I verified it this morning when looking into the mirror whilst shaving.  I then suggested that as they had called me it was for them to first prove that they were in fact who they claimed to be. 

The muppet hung up.

 

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By WhichTyler
18th May 2011 11:31

Small Business Tax Review

If you want to give evidence or advice to the OTS on small business taxation as part of their review, the email address is [email protected] and the terms of reference are here: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/ots_small_business_tax_administration_to...

Quoth the Director: “It’s clear that many small businesses are struggling under the administrative burdens imposed by the UK tax system.  We plan to set up surveys and more roadshows to really home in on what steps cause the most difficulties – and how the system can be improved, making it easier for businesses to get things right with the minimum of fuss.”

Answers on the back of a postcard, then...

 

 

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