Taxman sponsors TV business show

HMRC are sponsoring a new TV programme in an effort to help small firms more efficiently handle their tax admin.

The first episode of the weekly Business Inspector, which the Revenue has co-produced, will air on Five at 8pm on Wednesday 10 March.

The four-part series has been made by Optomen Television, creators of Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares. It is presented by entrepreneur Hilary Devey, founder, CEO and chairperson of Pall-Ex, a manufacturer of products for the containment of fire and sound. She previously appeared on the small screen in 2008 as the subject of Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire.

The aim of the new, £37,000 show – in which the tax authorities do not feature other than in the sponsorship credits – is to raise awareness among small firms about keeping good records.

Failure to take reasonable care in tax matters costs the Exchequer more than £6 billion a year, claimed Stephen Banyard, HMRC’s business customer unit director.

‘We want small businesses to realise the benefits to them... of taking better care of their records and paperwork,’ he added.

Hilary Devey promised The Business Inspector will teach firms ‘how to improve their all round… knowledge and direction, cash flow, marketing strategy and, in some cases, even their enthusiasm’.

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