To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will introduce a unique business reference number for the purposes of allocation, collection, storage and verification of information relating to businesses for the purposes of the payment of taxation; and if he will (a) bring forward proposals for and (b) discuss with Cabinet colleagues the use of a single business reference number for firms accessing services delivered across all departments. (134631)

HMRC is working towards the introduction of a customer index which could provide the basis for a unique business reference number, and which would enable HMRC to bring together a business's tax affairs. Following the recommendations of the Hampton report, the issues relating to services across a range of departments are under consideration by a cross-departmental group of officials.