UK Revenue and Customs (HMRC)

History

2023: Britain's biggest taxpayers

At the end of January 2024, it became known that a native of Russia, Alexander Gerko, became the largest taxpayer in Britain at the end of 2023. He will contribute £664.5 million in taxes to the British treasury, which is equivalent to $843.55 million at the exchange rate as of January 29, 2024.

Gerco, who is a graduate of Moscow State University, a doctor of mathematical sciences and the founder of the trading company XTX Markets, received British citizenship in 2016. In December 2022, he announced that he had completed the process of withdrawing from Russian citizenship, initiated in 2020. According to The Times, in 2023, Gerko topped the rating of Britain's largest taxpayers for the second year in a row. The businessman's fortune is estimated at more than £9 billion ($11.43 billion).

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The Times

On the second line in The Times list is former Formula 1 general manager Bernie Ecclestone. In October 2023, he pleaded guilty in the tax evasion case and agreed to pay the British Tax and Customs Office £652.6 million ($828.44 million) to settle the long-term dispute, taking into account penalties and fines. The top three are closed by the co-owners of the betting company Bet365 Denise, John and Peter Coates, who paid £375.9 million ($477.18 million) in taxes.

Next on the list are the founders of the Betfred bookmaker Fred and Peter Dawns, who paid £204.6 million ($259.73 million) in taxes. In addition, the top ten taxpayers in Britain included Sir Tim Martin, owner of pub operator JD Wetherspoon, with £167.1 million ($212.12 million); British inventor Sir James Dyson with his family - £156 million ($198.03 million); the Weston family, which owns Primark and Fortnum & Mason, £146.2 million ($185.59 million); Mike Ashley, owner of Sports Direct, - £139.4 million ($176.96 million); John Bloor, owner of Triumph Motorcycles, - £118.1 million ($149.92 million); entrepreneur John Timpson with his family - £99.8 million ($126.69 million).^[1]

2019: HMRC forced to carry out biggest ever biometric deletion

In early May 2019, the British regulator demanded that the Tax and Customs Service Great Britain (HMRC) delete the voice records of 5 million people - the database biometric data used to identify people. It turned out that the tax authority did not receive the consent of customers to use these files.

HMRC uses the Voice ID biometric security system to make it easier for people to pass security checks. Using the system is designed to reduce the time to talk with a consultant and prevent other users from accessing accounts.

In Britain, the regulator ordered the tax authority to delete the biometric data of 5 million people, since they were collected without the consent of people

However, the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) claims HMRC did not provide customers with information on how their biometric data would be handled or take their consent. Privacy activists Big Brother Watch criticised the scheme back in 2018, noting that users could not opt out of the service or remove their voice print. The Big Brother Watch complaint prompted further investigation.

HMRC said it would only retain the option of registering with Voice ID with the direct consent of citizens. However, consent was given by only 1.5 million users who have used the service since October 2018, when the company changed data protection rules. All other records will have to be deleted - HMRC promises to complete this work by June 5, 2019.

Big Brother Watch director Silkie Carlo noted that this is the largest removal of biometric information from the state database, which will set a serious precedent. HMRC said it would continue to use Voice ID - the app is popular with customers. The company promises to continue to ensure compliance with the requirements of the new law on the protection of confidential data.^[2]

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