Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the potential lessons that could be learned from HMRC’s treatment of professional footballers affected by investment fraud for wider cases mis-selling of tax avoidance schemes.

HMRC works closely with partners across the football sector to deliver educational messages to support players and their agents in getting things right first time.

HMRC recognises the damage caused to the tax system by those that promote tax avoidance schemes. It takes action to prevent that damage, for example by publishing details of schemes and promoters to help customers to steer clear of or otherwise exit such schemes.

The Government is determined to do more to close in on promoters of marketed tax avoidance and recently consulted on a package of measures to strengthen HMRC’s powers to tackle them.

HMRC also recognises that dealing with an enquiry and a tax liability can be stressful. HMRC is committed to supporting taxpayers who need extra support and offer ‘Time to Pay’ instalment arrangements where appropriate.