Bill Esterson MP, Shadow Minister for Small Business, commenting on reports small business owners and the self-employed are to file tax returns four times a year, said:

“In the run up to the General Election the Tories committed to reducing red tape for businesses; they now need to respond to the concerns of small business owners and the self-employed, who fear that this change will simply add to the burden of regulation they face. 

"Labour knows that Britain’s five million small businesses are the backbone of our economy and we welcome the push towards greater digitalisation of tax returns to ensure businesses aren’t burdened with needless form filling and bureaucracy. But this should be considered alongside tax simplification, and that is why our review of all tax legislation and the role of HMRC is so important.”