38
Not Addressed
HMRC demonstrates limited use of technology in promoting e-invoicing
Conclusion
The written evidence received from Dr Edidiong Offiong Bassey also suggests that HMRC is not making the best use of technology. In particular, he indicated there has been limited promotion in the UK of electronic invoicing and electronic fiscal devices which have seen 71 CTS0001 72 Q 48 73 Q 49 74 Qq 45–46 75 Q 12 76 Comptroller and Auditor General, Progress with Making Tax Digital, Session 2022–23, HC 1319, National Audit Office, June 2023, Figure 11 & para 3.36 77 Infrastructure and Projects Authority, Annual Report 2023–24, January 2025, p 37 20 positive results elsewhere.78 Some countries require businesses to use e–invoices for at least some transactions.79 E–invoicing can have a big impact on simplifying communications and reducing non–compliance.80
Government Response Summary
The government agrees generally with the "recommendation" (implied, as the item is a conclusion) and outlines HMRC's existing and planned initiatives using AI, including chatbots, Copilot, and call summarisation tools, without specifically addressing the conclusion's point about electronic invoicing and fiscal devices.
Government Response
Not Addressed
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 6.2 HMRC has written to the Committee alongside this Treasury Minute response. 6.3 HMRC is well positioned to take advantage of emerging technologies, particularly AI, to modernise operations, enhance customer experience, and improve productivity. With over two decades of experience applying AI in areas such as predictive analytics, risk assessment, and fraud detection, HMRC has embedded AI into core compliance and customer service functions. This includes tools like VAT Predictive Analytics, Bulk Data Exploitation Capability, and debt prediction models. 6.4 To further advance its AI ambition, HMRC is piloting several Generative AI initiatives: • A cross-government chatbot to improve navigation of HMRC guidance. • Copilot, trialled by thousands of staff, to enhance content summarisation, research, and search capabilities, with plans to scale significantly. • Call summarisation tools to streamline agent workflows and improve service delivery. 6.5 In 2025-26, HMRC will launch new AI-powered compliance tools and expand data- sharing collaborations (e.g. with the DWP). These efforts are supported by a secure Gen AI Landing Zone hosted in HMRC’s Cloud tenancy, enabling safe use of advanced models like GPT-4o 6.6 To ensure the right capability and capacity, HMRC has established an AI Board and delivery team, invested in training through the CDIO University and Digital Academy, and launched career development schemes to reskill staff into future-critical roles such as Cloud Engineers and Solution Architects. 6.7 These initiatives underpin a clearly defined investment proposal focused on delivering improved compliance outcomes and operational efficiencies through AI-enabled digital delivery.
Source
Committee
Public Accounts Committee
Inquiry
The cost of the tax system
Report
23rd Report - The cost of the tax system
30 Apr 2025
HC 645
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age
1.2 yr
Report published
30 Apr 2025