MPs on the Treasury Select Committee have been alarmed by deficiencies in the service provided by Revenue and Customs.

At a time when the country needs all the tax revenue it can get, a review found there had been a breakdown in basic services provided by HMRC.

It blamed large-scale job cuts and senior managers out of touch with day-today issues.

A new computer system has not worked perfectly either.

These problems have been evident to lots of Bolton people — including myself — over the past few years.

Nobody likes paying tax, but we all need to believe in the system.

It is often difficult to get through on the telephone and letters remain unanswered.

In fairness, I have found the operatives to be very helpful and efficient if you manage to get through.

The MPs who put HMRC under the spotlight have said prospects of improved service to the public are “bleak”.

There seems to be a case for employing more people.

How about that for a revolutionary idea?