Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Work and Pensions on ensuring equitable tax arrangements for flexible and contract workers.

The taxation of temporary and contract workers’ income will depend on their employment status for tax, as is the case for direct employees and the self-employed.

Decisions about tax policy are made by Treasury ministers. However, as recommended by the Office of Tax Simplification, officials from HM Treasury, HM Revenue and Customs, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills will form a Cross Government Working Group for Employment Status early this year.