Revenue and Customs: Disciplinary Proceedings
The question
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether steps have been taken to ensure that managers within the former Valuation Office Agency, following its merger into HMRC on 1 April 2026, who are the subject of a formal complaint of bullying, harassment or discrimination do not retain supervisory or safeguarding authority over the complainant during the period of the active investigation.
Answered by Treasury
Following the merger of the Valuation Office Agency into HMRC on 1 April 2026, former VOA employees became HMRC employees and are largely covered by the same HMRC policies and procedures as other HMRC staff.. Cases relating to complaints of bullying, harassment and discrimination are managed under HMRC's Upholding our Standards policy, supported by a dedicated VO HR Consultancy team within HMRC's Expert Advice Service using VO Decision Managers.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) take all allegations of bullying, harassment and discrimination seriously. When a formal complaint is raised, specialist HR advice is provided to assess any risks and consider appropriate support arrangements for those involved. This includes consideration of who should manage the employee during the investigation and whether any supervisory or safeguarding responsibilities should be changed. Any interim arrangements are determined on a case-by-case basis, taking account of the circumstances and identified risks.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →