Public Accounts Committee set to grill HMRC bosses at hearing
THE PUBLIC Accounts Committee today opens a probe into tax receipts, with top HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officials to be grilled ahead of the committee questioning Starbucks and Google.
Lin Homer, the chief executive of HMRC, will face the committee this afternoon, as will other members of the department. HMRC faced criticism over the weekend for offering certain individuals accused of tax evasion immunity from prosecution in exchange for paying a penalty charge.
The Public Accounts Committee’s chair, Labour MP Margaret Hodge, has vowed “endless questioning” over the subject. She has also called for US giants Google and Starbucks to appear in front of the committee, after they were accused of using complicated tax avoidance measures in the UK. The date when Starbucks and Google will appear has not been set.