I took part in the HMRC consultation on its plan to cease publication of wealth statistics. As a result I was pleased to get this email this afternoon:
Dear Mr Murphy,
Many thanks for your response to the consultation regarding the future of HMRC's Personal Wealth Statistics.
Please be aware that the results of the consultation have been published on the gov.ukwebsite:
In summary, most respondents accepted our view that there were reasons to be concerned with the current methodology used for producing the statistics, but were unanimous in disagreeing with the proposal to cease publication. Given this interest, we think it is appropriate to continue to publish National Statistics on the Distribution of Personal Wealth and add further investment where possible to address the existing issues. The statistics covering the period 2011 to 2013, which would have been published in September 2015, will now be published on 30 September 2016.
Kind regards
Shahida Begum
HM Revenue & Customs
Now, when will they admit the tax gap methodology is flawed? I guess I should accept one win at a time.
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What amazes is me is that HMRC should even have considered not publishing wealth statistics.
Clearly it would suit the obscenely wealthy not to have them published, but do you have any info on who/where the proposal might have come from?
Andrew Sayer
author of Why We Can’t Afford the Rich, Policy Press 2014
Let’s presume it was the idea of someone seeking to please a Conservative minister
Good book by the way – I enjoyed it