HM Revenue and Customs is to implement a pilot scheme using debt collection agencies within their system to clamp down on selected late payers, from businesses through to individuals. Those targeted will be asked to pay their outstanding bills otherwise HMRC will call for a debt collection agency to recover the money. An HMRC spokesperson told the Times that the trial period will focus on covering 'a range of types of tax, sizes and ages of debt, and include both individual and business debtors'. In addition, HMRC said it is working in the taxpayer's interest and that 'using private sector capacity has the potential to complement this approach and that is what we are now exploring'. Paul Harrison, tax partner at KPMG, said: 'The economic situation is putting pressure on cashflow for the government and individuals and so its only right that HMRC wants to get what's due, but they should be sensitive,' He added: 'HMRC needs to make sure that they apply quality controls and great reassurance before action is taken.'