Statement from PAC Chair on NAO report: HMRCs renewed alcohol strategy
25 January 2012
NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE: HM REVENUE AND CUSTOMS’ RENEWED ALCOHOL STRATEGY: A PROGRESS REPORT
A statement from The Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP, Chair of the Committee of Public Accounts:
Taxpayers are losing out by up to £1.2 billion a year through the large scale evasion of alcohol duty by organised criminals. The problem is only getting worse and HMRC must do more to tackle the problem.
It is difficult to stop criminal activity, but HMRC has not done enough to deter it through actively pursuing criminal sanctions against fraudsters. There are on average just six or fewer cases a year for alcohol duties fraud in which convictions are achieved. This must improve and HMRC must get tougher on this type of fraud.
The report is available to read on the National Audit Office website.