HMRC and Google (Settlement) Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

HMRC and Google (Settlement)

Dennis Skinner Excerpts
Monday 25th January 2016

(8 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Gauke Portrait Mr Gauke
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Again, I cannot comment on that—in large part because I am not privy to information that is not in the public domain—but I can say that an inquiry has been in place for some years and that it has now reached a conclusion. The consequence of the conclusion of that inquiry is, as Google has stated, that an additional £130 million is being paid to the Exchequer. Google has also made it clear that it has made changes in how it structures some of its arrangements, and that will obviously have an implication for future tax liabilities.

Dennis Skinner Portrait Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab)
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Why, on the one hand, should Italy put in a claim for £1 billion from Google while Britain, on the other hand, is prepared to settle for a paltry £130 million? It is not very good for Cameron, is it?

David Gauke Portrait Mr Gauke
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There is a difference between putting in a claim and determining the final result under the law of the land. That is what HMRC has done.