Call for curb on HMRC spying power

Giving a speech at CIOT's AGM, incoming president Anthony Thomas said HMRC's powers are "ever increasing" and often penalized the lowest paid. "A large part of the modernisation programme [of HMRC] has been used as grounds for giving it more powers, notably to control and gain access to data, sometimes with the minimal appearance of safeguards for taxpayers and their businesses," said Thomas. "HMRC wants to collect huge amounts of data from banks, charities, businesses and taxpayers of every description. It has obtained additional powers to levy increased penalties and have made clear...