HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Downing street meeting discusses Revenue-Customs integration and anti-avoidance [March 2004]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 18 March 2004.

Treasury Permanent Secretary Gus O’Donnell today held a meeting in 11 Downing Street with business representatives, and the accountancy and legal professions involved in work on tax.

The meeting was an opportunity to explain and discuss the outcome of Mr O’Donnell’s review of the revenue departments, and to set out further details of the Chancellor’s proposals for greater transparency in the market for tax avoidance schemes and arrangements, and of the steps which will be taken to prevent forestalling of the new regime.

The meeting was constructive, and focused on the importance of on-going dialogue between the Treasury, Inland Revenue, and HM Customs and Excise, and representatives of business and the professions.