In a critical report, Members of Parliament have expressed their disappointment with the government’s decision to close the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS). Former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng abolished the OTS in September 2022, and his successor Jeremy Hunt chose not to reinstate it. The report emphasizes that disbanding the independent champion for simpler tax suggests that simplification is not a priority for the government.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has previously acknowledged the complexity of taxes. In a March meeting with the Treasury Committee, he defended his choice not to rescue the OTS, stating that he personally takes responsibility for making progress on tax simplification during fiscal events.
The Committee has recommended that the Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs submit annual reports detailing the steps taken to simplify both new and existing taxes. These reports should include performance metrics, comparisons of the UK tax system’s complexity with other countries, and the Treasury’s efforts to understand taxpayer needs for tax simplification.
A spokesperson for HM Treasury has affirmed that tax simplification remains a government priority, citing the recent abolition of the pensions Lifetime Allowance as an example. They further stated that tax simplification is integral to fostering favorable conditions for businesses and economic growth.
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