Notes for Editors

1. HMRC plans to spend £2.7 billion from 2006-07 to 2010-2011 on a programme to provide a more efficient, customer-focused organisation, making it easier for taxpayers and claimants to fulfil their obligations and for the Department to detect and deal more effectively with wilful non-compliance. It expects to achieve benefits valued at £11.5 billion.
2. Press notices and reports are available from the date of publication on the NAO website, which is at www.nao.org.uk. Hard copies can be obtained from The Stationery Office on 0845 702 3474.
3. The Comptroller and Auditor General, Tim Burr, is the head of the National Audit Office which employs some 850 staff. He and the NAO are totally independent of Government. He certifies the accounts of all Government departments and a wide range of other public sector bodies; and he has statutory authority to report to Parliament on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which departments and other bodies have used their resources.