Catalogue description Board of Inland Revenue: Communications Group: Publications

In 1975 a review took place of the information services provided by the Board of Inland Revenue to the general public and specialised users, including the preparation and production of printed explanatory publications. This led to the then chairman initiating a Communications Study in 1977. Its aim was to improve communications with the Revenue's customers, provide a more efficient service and improve the Departments image. The study looked at forms, correspondence, printed and published material and press releases from the point of view of language, presentation and publicity. (It also took in such things as use of the media, accessibility of offices, educational services, and going out to the public). Revenue publications were found to be behind the times by comparison with those of other government departments and other countries.

As a result, the Communications Unit (now up-graded and expanded as the Communications Group) became a permanent entity in 1978 and concentrated on short publications in simple language on narrow topics. Some of these were new presentations of existing publications, most were entirely new. In the early days professional advice and services were obtained from COI, HMSO and Reading University, but the Publications Section is now self-sufficient. Since 1982 the trend has been towards illustrated leaflets where appropriate. Bklt no. IR 53 won a Plain English award in 1984.

Leaflets are generally initiated by Policy divisions as a result of new legislation or political directives, but may also arise from requests for information from the public, staff suggestions, or ideas from within the Communications Group. With the exception of Bklt nos. IR 48 and IR 50, they are available in tax offices and PAYE Enquiry offices and on the Mobile Advice Centres. Some are also held in other government departments' offices. Interested specialist organizations, Citizens Advice Bureaux etc receive notification from the press office when new leaflets or editions have been produced. The schools material is available only through the Inland Revenue Education Service.