Tax collectors lack ambition, say MPs, as £42bn remains unpaid

Fraud and error have left eye-watering' amount owed to HMRC, says public accounts committee

The government has been criticised for failing to collect 42bn in unpaid tax from businesses and individuals amid concern over the strain on the public finances as the UK's economy stands on the brink of recession.

The cross-party Commons public accounts committee (PAC) said that an eye-watering" amount of tax was owed to HMRC, while also criticising tax collectors for lacking ambition to tackle fraud and error.