A typically off the wall subject but an interesting thought nonetheless. Of course it is conceivable as it can quite easily be imagined; however believable might be more difficult! The Triennial Report looks at matters of convergence but specifically it seems for ‘safety’ related enforcers. “I recommend that opportunities for further convergence between regulators should be taken up where this makes operational sense and would reduce the burden to business. To this end, future Triennial Reviews of HSE should be aligned with reviews of SIMILAR (my caps) regulatory bodies and should actively consider the opportunities for greater convergence. “ And elsewhere the conclusion that “in general, HSE should be the regulator into which other regulators would be moved. This would create a more consistent regulatory regime.” This supports the opinion that the review is only talking about ‘safety’ regulation and not any cross functional convergence. The review has also recognised the dangers of F.F.I. and says “unless the link between “fines” and funding can be removed or the benefits can be shown to outweigh the detrimental effects, and it is not possible to minimise those effects, FFI should be phased out.” So, whilst the synergy between Customs and the HMRC can be easily identified, that between the HSE and HMRC is less apparent especially if FFI is killed off or modified. The triennial review committee certainly gives nothing that suggests it is even on the radar at the moment. So it was not considered conceivable by them.

Unlikely. Merging the IRS and C&E made sense from a data protection viewpoint, in that utilizing the separate databases of both organisations and meeting the [then] requirements of data protection in combined operations was problematical. Then two became one: Problem solved. We now have other interesting ways of getting around data restriction, such as the benefits agency using credit reference agencies to obtain financial information on claimants because they are unable to gain direct access except on a case-by-case basis. Then of course we move to the insurance companies buying large tranches of pseudo-aonymised medical info from state agencies.... I see no reason for any other mergers with HMRC, although their joint roadside operations with police and benefit agency may suggest otherwise!