Computer Says No

So — according to the chairman of HMRC the computer system supporting tax credits is now more stable but 'still potentially fragile'. Not that you are too worried: as a reader of The Tax Journal the chances are that you have very little to do with tax credits (at least not the sort we're talking about here). But I tell you it is worth paying attention to the tax credits fiasco for it is a story of our times.

It is a story of the beguiling visions and sweeping prospects offered by information technology. We imagine we shall be like Captain Kirk striding the bridge of the starship Enterprise. 'Computer!' we shall bark whilst staring intently and meaningfully...