Reform proposes £30 tax rebate for HMRC phone delays - BBC News
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Reform proposes £30 tax rebate for HMRC phone delays
Image source: PA Media
Image caption: Robert Jenrick sets out policies aimed at helping small firms
By Brian Wheeler, Political reporter
Published 31 minutes ago
People facing prolonged hold times with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) would receive a £30 tax rebate under a Reform UK government, as announced by economy spokesman Robert Jenrick.
Jenrick criticized HMRC's treatment of taxpayers, calling it "offensive to working people", and proposed tying senior officials' pay to customer service targets. To prevent abuse, the tax credit for phone delays would be limited to two instances per tax year.
HMRC has faced criticism for its response times, with a highly critical report by the Public Accounts Committee in January 2025 highlighting issues like cutting off customers after long hold times and accusing HMRC of degrading its telephone service to push taxpayers towards digital channels.
Jenrick emphasized these findings during a media conference, stating:
"Frankly, it is offensive to working people and I have had enough." He continued, "So, we will give HMRC a big incentive... If you spend more than half an hour waiting for HMRC to answer your call, you will get a £30 credit off your tax bill."
He also pledged to replace the UK's privacy rules with a "light-touch" approach modeled on New Zealand's legislation, arguing that current GDPR regulations have "strangled" tech firms and small enterprises.
Labour responded by accusing Reform of wanting to scrap vital data protection safeguards.