Jon Thompson, HMRC chief executive, has been asked to appear before the Treasury select committee as part of an inquiry into the decision not to renew an outsourcing contract with Concentrix contract for checking tax credits, following widespread criticism of the company’s performance
Andrew Tyrie, chair of the committee, has written to Thompson inviting him to give evidence to MPs. At the time it announced it was not renewing Concentrix’s contract, HMRC also stated it was drafting in 150 of its own staff to deal with a backlog of claims.
In the letter, Tyrie said he has asked HMRC to supply a weekly report on how that work is progressing, including details of how many of Concentrix’s original decisions have been overturned.
Tyrie said: ‘A huge amount of distress is being caused to many individuals across the country who are waiting for HMRC's review of Concentrix's decisions to be completed. This should be done without delay. So I have asked HMRC to update the committee each week on its work to reduce the backlog.
‘We will be asking HMRC to give oral evidence, and probably also Concentrix, shortly.’
The National Audit Office has announced that it intends to carry out a factual investigation looking at Concentrix’s performance in supporting HMRC’s anti-fraud and error interventions. The watchdog plans to review how HMRC managed the contract, including the decision not to extend the contract, and whether concerns raised by taxpayers were reasonable. Its report is scheduled for later this year.
Andrew Tyrie’s letter is here.
