Andrew Woosnam, a recruitment executive, bought back his bust company's assets in instalments despite £2.9m debt, but has fallen behind on payments, raising questions about 'phoenixism'
HMRC is facing criticism for significant delays in processing tax rebates and payments, leaving individuals like an 86-year-old father waiting months for substantial sums. Despite HMRC's claims of efficiency, multiple cases highlight long waits, financial hardship, and errors.
A report indicates three-quarters of UK millionaires would pay more tax. The author argues for an opt-out "solidarity tax surcharge" to convert willingness into revenue, citing behavioural research on opt-in vs. opt-out systems.
Andy Burnham aims to return to Westminster via a byelection in Makerfield, as Labour navigates the resignation of Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who cited lost confidence in the PM, and the clearance of Angela Rayner by HMRC, amidst uncertainty over Keir Starmer's leadership.
Wes Streeting may announce his Labour leadership bid, while Angela Rayner, cleared of tax wrongdoing, hints at seeking change but won't challenge Keir Starmer directly, leaving her own candidacy or support for Andy Burnham uncertain.
Findings of inquiry into stamp duty paid on Hove flat crucial to any leadership bidUK politics live – latest updatesAngela Rayner has been cleared by HMRC of deliberate wrongdoing or carelessness over her tax affairs, the Guardian reported, paving the way for a potential leadership bid as Keir Starmer’s grip on power unravels. Continue reading...
Angela Rayner cleared by HMRC of tax wrongdoing, settling £40,000 in unpaid stamp duty without penalty, potentially clearing path for Labour leadership bid as Keir Starmer's grip falters.
The Labour leadership contest faces increased uncertainty as Angela Rayner's cleared tax affairs pave her path to potentially enter, while Andy Burnham explores entry strategies, amidst anticipated resignation of Wes Streeting.
HMRC signs a 10-year, £175m contract with UK's Quantexa to leverage AI in detecting tax fraud, reducing errors, and enhancing customer service, amid rising public complaints about HMRC's performance.
Angela Rayner cleared of tax wrongdoing by HMRC, potentially paving her path for a Labour leadership bid as Keir Starmer's grip weakens amid party turmoil post-election losses.
Peter Mandelson's former consultancy Global Counsel has collapsed into administration owing £4.6m, including £645,789 to HM Revenue and Customs. The company, which advised TikTok, Palantir and GSK, lost several accounts after revelations about Mandelson's relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Administrators reported liabilities of £4,596,149 against realizable assets of £2.7m. Employees were collectively owed £2.6m. The collapse comes as Mandelson faces scrutiny over failing the UK government's enhanced vetting process before his appointment as ambassador to Washington.
HMRC has launched a campaign to contact 21-year-olds with unclaimed Child Trust Funds, tax-free savings accounts set up by the Labour government in 2005. Over 6 million CTFs were created for children born between September 2002 and January 2011, with average balances of £2,200. More than 750,000 accounts remain unclaimed despite two-thirds of recipients being over 18 and entitled to access their money.
Stratiphy has launched a new offering providing UK investors with a tax-free route back into crypto exchange-traded notes (ETNs) after regulatory shifts effectively shut them out. The Financial Conduct Authority lifted its four-year ban on retail access to crypto ETNs in October 2025, but HMRC later ruled that new purchases would only qualify for Innovative Finance ISAs, a niche product no platform offered. Stratiphy now offers three 21Shares ETNs covering Bitcoin, Ether and a Bitcoin-gold blend.
HM Revenue and Customs has confirmed it will appeal against a London tax tribunal ruling that would cut VAT on public electric car chargers from 20% to 5%. The tribunal found last month that VAT should have been charged at the lower rate, potentially saving drivers hundreds of pounds annually. The appeal maintains a disparity where home chargers pay 5% VAT while public chargers pay 20%, with the Treasury currently collecting £85m/year from the difference, projected to rise to £315m by 2030.
More people are reporting their employers for underpaying staff, data shared exclusively with Money has shown.
