Tax policy should be made at fiscal events, urges Treasury Committee

The Government has made a string of tax policy announcements throughout the year, rather than at fiscal events, such as a new consultation on making tax digital for corporation tax, excise duties, and on tackling promoters of tax avoidance.

Rt Hon. Mel Stride MP, Chair of the Treasury Committee, has today written to Rt Hon. Jesse Norman MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, for confirmation that this will not become the norm, and that the Government will, in future, announce tax policy at fiscal events wherever possible.

Commenting on the correspondence, Mr Stride said:

“Tax policy announcements have been scattered throughout the year rather than, as is customary, at fiscal events.

“Whilst it has been far from a typical year, the Government must not use this as a precedent for the future.

“One of the key principles of effective tax policy making is predictability. Where possible, the Government must ensure that it makes tax policy announcements at the next available fiscal event.”

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Notes to Editors

Mr Stride’s letter to the Financial Secretary is attached.