Major recruitment firms linked to tax avoidance schemes after workers crippled by debt

A Sky News investigation has revealed how, over the course of two decades, some of Britain's biggest recruitment companies were linked to large-scale tax avoidance when placing workers into jobs, including government roles in Whitehall. Many of these workers, typically agency workers and contractors, were paid by third-party umbrella companies that promised to take care of taxes but were operating tax avoidance schemes. Often the umbrellas were recommended by recruiters, although there is no suggestion the recruiters knew these third parties were operating tax avoidance schemes. Tax avoidance is legal but HMRC has successfully challenged tax avoidance schemes in the courts and workers have subsequently asked to pay the missing tax. In some cases, the tax demands have been crippling. It's a campaign that has driven people to the brink of bankruptcy, devastated families and has been linked to 10 suicides. Read more: https://news.sky.com/story/major-uk-recruiters-linked-to-tax-avoidance-schemes-after-workers-hit-with-crippling-hmrc-demands-13326107 #skynews #hmrc #taxavoidance #recruitment #uknews #uktax Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel for more videos: http://www.youtube.com/skynews Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/skynews Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skynews Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skynews Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@skynews For more content go to http://news.sky.com and download our apps: Apple https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/sky-news/id316391924?mt=8 Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bskyb.skynews.android&hl=en_GB Sky News Daily podcast is available for free here: https://podfollow.com/skynewsdaily/ Sky News videos are now available in Spanish here/Los video de Sky News están disponibles en español aquí: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzG5BnqHO8oNlrPDW9CYJog To enquire about licensing Sky News content, you can find more information here: https://news.sky.com/info/library-sale