Administration and appeals: Election 'paralysis'

Administration and appeals: Election 'paralysis'

A general paralysis seems to overtake departments such as HMRC during a general election campaign according to the CIOT's Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG). 'On past evidence of previous elections no-one wants to take a chance of being criticised ' the group observed. 'This means that good initiatives to improve the customer experience may get suspended or postponed.' LITRG vowed to 'encourage all concerned to get on and do what is best for the customer' during 'election purdah'.

Cabinet Office guidance highlights the need for Government departments 'to maintain and be seen to maintain the impartiality of the Civil Service and to avoid any criticism of an inappropriate use of official resources'. It adds that special care must be taken during the course of an election since 'material produced with complete impartiality which would be accepted as objective in...