In the five years before the pandemic, HMRC collected or protected an average of 5.2% of tax revenues through its compliance work. In 2020–21, total tax revenues fell as a result of the pandemic, but compliance yield fell slightly further, dropping to 5.0% of total revenues. In 2021–22, total revenues rose by 20% to record levels following the reopening of the economy and other factors such as higher inflation. However, compliance yield did not recover at the same pace, dropping to 4.2% of total revenues. This drop equates to a £9 billion reduction in compliance yield over the two years, compared with previous performance.21 HMRC told us that this partly reflected the economic impacts of the pandemic, and that there was less yield to be had. However, it also acknowledged that the reduction was affected by reductions in its own work, and a reduced ability of taxpayers to engage with its enquiries.22