The petition of residents of Linlithgow and East Falkirk,
Declares that concerns about the Roadchef Employees Benefit Trust have escalated to an unreasonable level; notes that despite a meeting taking place on the 27th of March 2019 between HMRC and REBTL, eligible employees that include local residents of Linlithgow and East Falkirk have still to receive any payments as HMRC is continuing to hold the funds over the level of tax liability of the beneficiaries; and further notes it is unacceptable that the distribution of funds is being prevented by HMRC notwithstanding a High Court ruling in January 2014 in favour of the Roadchef Employees Benefits Trustees Ltd.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges HMRC to end their foot-dragging and resolve this long-standing issue of the withholding of payments by HMRC to the Roadchef Employees Benefit Trust.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Martyn Day, Official Report, 30 October 2019; Vol. 667, c. 463.]
[P002538]
Observations from the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Jesse Norman):
The Government thank the ho. Member for Linlithgow and East Falkirk (Martyn Day) for submitting the petition on behalf of his constituents about the dispute between HMRC and Roadchef Employee Benefit Trust (EBT).
The administration of the tax system, including where appropriate the repayment of tax or duties, is a matter for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). It would not be appropriate for Treasury Ministers to engage with any particular issue. As I hope you will understand, the statutory obligation of HMRC to maintain taxpayer confidentiality also means I cannot comment on this case.
HMRC recognises that the beneficiaries of the EBT are keen to see a resolution.