MPs and Royals Benefit from Exclusive HMRC Fast-Track Tax Helpline

New data reveals significant disparities in wait times for tax advice, with VIPs receiving assistance up to eight times faster than the general public.

• The HMRC's Public Department 1 (PD1) helpline serves ministers, civil servants, and royals, offering average wait times of under three minutes compared to 18 minutes for the general public.
• VIPs cannot access HMRC's online services or webchat due to security restrictions, necessitating the dedicated helpline staffed by a small, specialized team.
• In June 2024, general public calls to HMRC averaged over 25 minutes in wait time, while PD1 users waited just 1 minute and 44 seconds.
• Critics, including Liberal Democrats, have called the disparity 'shocking,' urging increased HMRC funding to improve public services and address tax evasion concerns.
• Complaints about HMRC's phone services have surged, rising more than sixfold since 2019, highlighting broader dissatisfaction with customer service.

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