Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer to Question 16436 on 15 July 2026, on Taxation: Debt Collection, whether HM Revenue and Customs has received legal advice on the compatibility of the proposed powers with the European Convention on Human Rights and data-protection law; and whether a (a) programme risk register and (b) contingency plan exist.

The proposals aim to maintain fairness in the tax system and address a gap in existing debt enforcement tools, by collecting lower value tax debts from taxpayers who can pay but do not engage. The consultation on proposals to tackle lower value tax debts closed on 28 August. The Government is currently analysing responses received and will use this to inform next steps, including whether and how the proposal should be taken forward.