Freedom of Information Team
S1715
6 Floor
Central Mail Unit
Mr Trevor Price
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE98 1ZZ
By email:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
Email
xxx.xxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xxx.xx
Web
www.gov.uk
Date: 2 April 2019
Our ref:
FOI2019/00660
Dear Mr Price
Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA)
Thank you for your request, which was received on 12 March, for information about HMRC’s
behavioural insight team. Using your questions as headings, answers have been provided
below.
“1) That HM Revenue and Customs has set-up a Behavioural Science Unit (BSU)”
The Behaviour, Insight, and Research (BIR) team is part of HMRC’s Customer Insight
and Design Directorate. It is a multidisciplinary insight team which carries out traditional
research and insight generation alongside behavioural science.
“2) The date the BSU was set-up on?”
HMRC’s behavioural science function was set up in 2012.
“3) How many staff work within the BSU?”
There are 54 staff in the Behaviour, Insight, and Research (BIR) team.
“4) Has the BSU been involved in advising/helping the Counter Avoidance unit to formulate
the wording in letters sent to individual 'customers/tax payers'.”
No.
“5) Has the BSU been involved in advising/helping the Counter Avoidance unit to formulate
the wording in 'Loan Charge' letters sent to individual 'customers/tax payers'”
No.
If you are not satisfied with this reply you may request a review within two months by
emailing
xxx.xxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xxx.xx, or by writing to the address at the top right-hand side
of this letter.
Information is available in large print, audio and Braille formats.
Text Relay service prefix number – 18001
If you are not content with the outcome of an internal review you can
complain to the
Information Commissioner’s Office
Yours sincerely,
Freedom of Information Team
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