Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Myners (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 December 2009.

Revenue and Customs: Website

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there have been problems with the website of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (online.hmrc.gov.uk); if so, when those problems started; why they occurred; whether they have resulted in taxpayers having difficulty paying income tax and value added tax; whether the technical help numbers provided have continued to work; whether taxpayers have been able to make reasoned complaints; who is responsible for maintaining the website; whether they have estimated the revenue lost or delayed; and whether the website has been altering taxpayers' names.

Answer: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is not aware of any major service disruptions or other significant problems that would have impacted large numbers of customers or affected their ability to pay their Income Tax or VAT liabilities. Information about issues affecting HMRC’s online services are available from the following links on the home page of the web site. Service Availability http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWeb App/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true &_pageLabel=pageOnlineServices_ShowContent &propertyType=document&id=HMCE_MIG_ 009921 Service Issues http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWeb App/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true &_paqeLabel=paqeOnlineServices_ShowContent &propertyType=document&id=HMCE_PROD1 _028772 HMRC can confirm that all technical help-line numbers have been in full working operation and that the facility to make complaints about any aspect of HMRC business has been available. Maintenance of the HMRC website is controlled by the HMRC Customer Contact Directorate Online and HMRC Information Management Services in partnership with their IT suppliers. As HMRC is unaware of any significant problems with the operation of its website no estimates of lost or delayed revenue have been made. HMRC is not aware of any problems with the website that have led to any taxpayers names being changed or altered in any way.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 510; 715 c218-9WA
Session: 2009-10
Subjects: Complaints Income tax Internet VAT Telephone services Revenue and Customs Electronic government
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk