Bemused Posted May 11, 2023 Report Share Posted May 11, 2023 We’re taking on an apprentice in August so I’ve been working with the college to set everything up. Everything was going smoothly until I had to make a simple phone call to let HMRC know what we’re doing as you apparently can’t just add an apprentice to the payroll until you’ve made HMRC aware. Something to do with the funding for college. Many hours have been wasted today ringing the HMRC “Employers Helpline” I’ve tried, the accountant’s tried and both failed. You ring a number and get through to a computer voice which asks you a few questions (after telling you that due to industrial action calls are taking longer than an hour to be dealt with) It then tells you that your call will be answered asap. After waiting around 10 – 30 minutes the computer comes back on to tell you everyone is busy, then terminates the call! 😂 I wish they were as efficient at answering calls as they are at collecting money. Any ideas anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted May 11, 2023 Report Share Posted May 11, 2023 Can't help, but I know just how you feel. Sounds like the Devon & Cornwall Firearms Dep't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggy74 Posted May 11, 2023 Report Share Posted May 11, 2023 Yeah, dont take on apprentices, had three on our firm, none lasted more than a few months, always sick (actually found out two were working elsewhere but we were still due to pay them for the days they were off. The other one was going back to college with updates of our health and safety, trying to trip us up, i think with the idea of trying to get a claim in against us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newbie to this Posted May 11, 2023 Report Share Posted May 11, 2023 You must've caught them, whilst they were doing the many things you can do, whilst working from home. Walking the dog.... Having a nap....... Etc.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bemused Posted May 11, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2023 2 minutes ago, eggy74 said: Yeah, dont take on apprentices, had three on our firm, none lasted more than a few months, always sick (actually found out two were working elsewhere but we were still due to pay them for the days they were off. The other one was going back to college with updates of our health and safety, trying to trip us up, i think with the idea of trying to get a claim in against us. You're not wrong, we've not bothered for ages due to bad attitudes but this is my son I'm taking on. He's worked with us during school holidays for the past few years and loves it. We'll see how he gets on 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted May 11, 2023 Report Share Posted May 11, 2023 Swift email to head of HMRC, with a copy to either your MP or appropriate Minister. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted May 11, 2023 Report Share Posted May 11, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, Gordon R said: Swift email to head of HMRC, with a copy to either your MP or appropriate Minister. +1 emphasising that there incompetence will now cost a young person a job! Edited May 11, 2023 by Dave at kelton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmaxphil Posted May 12, 2023 Report Share Posted May 12, 2023 Suprised you can't do it online this day and age 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted May 12, 2023 Report Share Posted May 12, 2023 13 hours ago, Bemused said: You're not wrong, we've not bothered for ages due to bad attitudes but this is my son I'm taking on. He's worked with us during school holidays for the past few years and loves it. We'll see how he gets on 😀 Hope you get sorted 👍 and good wishes to your son, cannot beat an apprenticeship 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobba Posted May 12, 2023 Report Share Posted May 12, 2023 13 hours ago, Gordon R said: Swift email to head of HMRC, with a copy to either your MP or appropriate Minister. Agreed. I know from both having once worked in the public sector and from personal experience later that heads of departments hate “Ministers Correspondence” Google search cabinet ministers to identify the minister responsible for HMRC, send him / her a short pithy note of the circumstances and end your note with “ As your staff will not respond to my problems will you now do so. Thank you” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rab19 Posted May 12, 2023 Report Share Posted May 12, 2023 Best of luck. We closed one of our companies down over 3 years ago and HMRC have only just stopped sending us letters for a outstanding tax bill (which was paid 3 years ago)for a company that does not exist any more. Looks like someone finally got the message !!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manthing Posted May 12, 2023 Report Share Posted May 12, 2023 It's because a vast number of anticivil servants are still "working" from home. They held on to a refund of mine fore a year blaming my accountant for not submitting my books, but my accountant had the receipts, still made no difference and thd expected me to pat my corporation tax even though the owed me about 10x what they wanted. Useless is the nice phrase I'd use about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bemused Posted May 12, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2023 Finally got through to them this morning but not much help! Looks like the email complaint route is the next step. Thanks for all your suggestions, much appreciated 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bemused Posted May 17, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2023 On 12/05/2023 at 08:18, oldypigeonpopper said: Hope you get sorted 👍 and good wishes to your son, cannot beat an apprenticeship 👍 Thanks, we'll get there in the end 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted May 18, 2023 Report Share Posted May 18, 2023 On 11/05/2023 at 18:43, Bemused said: We’re taking on an apprentice in August so I’ve been working with the college to set everything up. Everything was going smoothly until I had to make a simple phone call to let HMRC know what we’re doing as you apparently can’t just add an apprentice to the payroll until you’ve made HMRC aware. Something to do with the funding for college. Many hours have been wasted today ringing the HMRC “Employers Helpline” I’ve tried, the accountant’s tried and both failed. You ring a number and get through to a computer voice which asks you a few questions (after telling you that due to industrial action calls are taking longer than an hour to be dealt with) It then tells you that your call will be answered asap. After waiting around 10 – 30 minutes the computer comes back on to tell you everyone is busy, then terminates the call! 😂 I wish they were as efficient at answering calls as they are at collecting money. Any ideas anyone? Contact your local MP and relate the issues. I guarantee you'll get a response from the HMRC! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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