The Inland Revenue plans to publish more internal guidance manuals so that taxpayers, their advisors and academics can see how staff are directed to go about their job. The Department is responding to the Government’s Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. The first internal manuals were published in 1995. The Department has cut out material from the manuals which ought to be omitted under the Code, but it has also included guidance currently only available in internal memoranda or bulletins. Publications will range from Advanced Investigation to Inheritance Tax Manual.

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Over 200 applications for Beacon Council status in the first round of the Beacon Council Scheme have been received by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. This is almost half of the councils in the UK. The number of applications is seen as an endorsement of the Scheme which has been under criticism from different quarters. Councils selected as Beacons will act as pace setters and centres of excellence. Through a nationally co-ordinated programme, organised by the Improvement and Development Agency, they will help spread good practice around the country through open days, secondments and publications.

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