Gordon Brown leaves his mark at HM Revenue and Customs
Despite the fact that Gordon Brown was ridiculed by many politicians in the UK, Europe and around the world, he would appear to have had the last laugh in relation to HM Revenue and Customs and its vastly improved performance of late. Such has been the increase in tax avoidance and tax evasion convictions in the UK that the coalition government has today announced a softer approach from tax inspectors in the short to medium term.
Whether or not you agree with Gordon Brown's endless investment into the UK public sector is open to debate but ultimately departments such as HM Revenue and Customs would appear to have benefited enormously. However, when you consider the massive budget cuts underway there are growing concerns that successes secured in the recent past may well fall by the wayside if resources for HM Revenue and Customs in particular are reduced.
It is debatable as to whether the coalition government will be able to squeeze any more efficiencies out of government departments such as HM Revenue and Customs but David Cameron and George Osborne seem willing to try. There will come a point when reductions in public-sector budgets will be counterproductive although when this point will be reached remains to be seen.
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