APPG launches call for evidence from advisers following harrowing evidence supplied by individuals

The Loan Charge and Taxpayer Fairness APPG has today launched a new call for evidence, this time from advisers with clients affected by the Loan Charge. This follows an earlier call for evidence, from people directly affected by the Loan Charge, which has revealed a deeply worrying reality with many people facing bankruptcy, relationship and mental breakdown and 15% of people reporting suicidal thoughts or intent.

Since the formation of the APPG back in 2018, considerable amounts of important evidence has been provided, both in writing and in oral evidence, by professional advisers – accountants, tax advisers, lawyers – and it is hoped that the second tranche of evidence will further demonstrate the reality of the policy on people and their families, something that HMRC and the Treasury continue to seek to ignore and deny. The insight from professional advisers, who represent and are assisting individuals, will be invaluable in giving an oversight of the situation their clients are in and of their own experiences of dealing with HMRC.

Advisers who have clients affected by the Loan Charge, whether they have settled or still face the Loan Charge and whether or not they are affected as contractors or as limited company directors, should complete a submission using the PDF form for advisers on the APPG website. There is space in the two large boxes to suit different submissions, however all submissions must be a maximum of two pages (two sides of A4).

The APPG will then use the submissions as part of establishing the reality of the situation for people affected by the Loan Charge. The APPG will share them with APPG members and the Treasury. They will also publish them on social media. The deadline for submissions is Friday 15th July 2022.

Commenting, Loan Charge APPG Officers said:

Sammy Wilson MP, Co-Chair of the Loan Charge APPG (DUP):

“The evidence sent to us so far from individuals is compelling and also harrowing, with a shocking number of people reporting serious problems including marital breakdown, mental health issues and with a very worrying 15% of people saying they have had suicidal thoughts or actual intent”.

“We now wish to hear from advisers, many of whom work extremely hard doing all they can to support clients, often in the face of communication issues with HMRC. So we believe their insight will also be very valuable in demonstrating the reality of the situation, something that is alas ignored and denied by HMRC and the Treasury”.

Greg Smith MP, Co-Chair of the Loan Charge and Taxpayer Fairness APPG (Conservative):

“The Loan Charge and Taxpayer Fairness APPG remains deeply concerned about the impact of the Loan Charge and tens of thousands of individuals and their families”.

“It is clear from the evidence received so far that the situation is very serious and that without change from the Treasury and HMRC, there will be devastating consequences. We now wish to hear from advisers about the situation they face dealing with HMRC and supporting clients and we hope this will further add to the picture, which is becoming increasingly difficult for Ministers to continue to ignore”.

Baroness Susan Kramer, Vice-Chair of the Loan Charge and Taxpayer Fairness APPG (Liberal Democrat):

“Throughout the Loan Charge Scandal, HMRC and the Treasury have failed to give straight answers to questions and have brushed the reality of the Loan Charge under the carpet. With it being so hard to get any accurate information, the Loan Charge and Taxpayer APPG will continue to do all we can to get concrete evidence that shows the reality, as opposed to the propaganda, of this dangerous policy, one that has already cost lives”

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