MPs and peers praise Institute’s input
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More than 100 parliamentarians, officials and tax professionals attended CIOT’s parliamentary reception on the House of Commons terrace on 30 June, enjoying glorious sunshine on one of the hottest days of the year.
The reception aims to improve the understanding of politicians and journalists of what tax advisers do and how the tax system works, as well as strengthening the Institute’s links with parliamentarians.
Welcoming guests to the event, CIOT President Nichola Ross Martin said that CIOT is delighted to work with politicians of all parties and, over the last two years, has engaged with parliamentarians from seven different parties, as well as crossbenchers in the Lords. ‘Why do we engage beyond the government? It’s simple really. We want to support the parliamentary scrutiny process, and inform wider political debate and policy making around tax. It’s in the public interest.’
She introduced the event’s parliamentary sponsor, Lord Mackinlay of Richborough, describing him as a longstanding member and friend of the Institute, and recalling how horrified she and others at the Institute had been when he was taken seriously ill and came close to losing his life in autumn 2023. ‘It was unclear if Craig would ever be able to come back to this place. But back he came with enormous resilience and four artificial limbs. The bionic MP – receiving a cross-party standing ovation on his return last year. And now he’s the bionic peer!’
Lord Mackinlay thanked Nichola for her remarks and the Institute in general for having been supportive of him and his family during his recovery. He was followed by two further speakers at the event – shadow tax minister Gareth Davies MP and tax minister James Murray MP. The minister praised the Institute for its input into tax policy while the shadow minister thanked CIOT for its help during the Finance Bill earlier in the year, saying it was ‘the most helpful, the most effective institute I’ve ever dealt with’.
Among the other parliamentarians who attended the event were Liberal Democrat Treasury spokespersons Daisy Cooper MP and Baroness Kramer. HMRC was also well represented, with Chief Executive JP Marks and lead non-exec director Jayne-Anne Gadhia among those in attendance.
