“Hundreds of civil servants at HMRC are being allowed to dedicate 20% of their working week—equivalent to one day—to promoting LGBT+ initiatives while retaining full pay. This policy, part of the Prism LGBT+ Network, has drawn criticism from politicians such as Nigel Farage and Jacob Rees-Mogg, who argue that taxpayer money should not fund what they see as political activism.
The move comes as HMRC faces strong backlash over poor customer service, with a recent report highlighting long call wait times and abrupt disconnections. Critics argue that HMRC should focus on resolving these service issues rather than funding diversity initiatives.
An HMRC insider claims that much of the network’s focus is on transgender awareness, with training sessions on pronouns and gender identity. HMRC, however, defends the initiative, stating that it complies with legal obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty and helps attract skilled employees.”
Quotation by Nigel Holland
- HMRC allows staff to spend 20% of work time on LGBT+ activities while retaining full pay.
- Critics argue this detracts from core duties amid HMRC’s poor customer service performance.
- A Public Accounts Committee report highlights long call wait times and customer dissatisfaction.
- Nigel Farage and Jacob Rees-Mogg condemn the policy as taxpayer-funded activism.
- HMRC insists the initiative meets equality obligations and supports workplace inclusivity.
