To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in context of Taras Properties being listed as the sole shareholder of Reuben Brothers (Newcastle) Ltd listed with Companies House, what due diligence his Department carried out of (a) Taras Properties and (b) Reuben Brothers prior to moving 900 staff of his Department to a building owned by those organisations.
Answered on
1 December 2021
The Department has adhered to the Government’s property spend control policy and the transaction in question was subject to approval by National Property Control which was granted on 2 November 2021. The property leasing due diligence process was applied to Taras Properties and the Reuben Brothers as linked individuals. The due diligence process includes assessing any potential reputational risks to HMRC and considers both the corporate structures and the tax compliance of the entities involved.