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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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).
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.
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....
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
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?
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...