Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC plans to investigate the tax status of Gannett Corporation and the losses at Newsquest.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has a strong track record in tackling avoidance, fraud and evasion and non-compliance in the system. Since 2010, HMRC compliance activity has brought in more than £175 billion which would otherwise have gone unpaid. HMRC cannot comment on the tax affairs of identifiable businesses given their duty of maintaining taxpayer confidentiality.