Rebecca Evans MS, Minister for Finance and Local Government
I am pleased to welcome the publication of the Welsh Revenue Authority's (WRA) Annual Report and Accounts for 2021 to 2022 today (27 July 2022). This document reports against the third and final year of the WRA's Corporate Plan for 2019 to 2022.
During the year, the tax authority raised record levels of tax revenue for Wales – the highest since it started collecting and managing land transaction tax and landfill disposals tax in April 2018.
High levels of customer service were maintained, and the organisation performed well across a range of areas – including the processing of the highest levels of tax returns to date, as certain coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions relating to the housing market eased.
Despite the challenges of COVID-19, the WRA continued to support its customers, as well as its people. This resulted in the vast majority of customers paying the right tax at the right time, in line with the WRA’s Welsh way of doing tax, as well as continued high levels of staff engagement.
It was a milestone year for the WRA as it raised £1 billion in tax revenue for Wales since launching. This vital funding supports the people of Wales as we invest in improving public services across Welsh communities.
The WRA also offered skills, experience and expertise to support the Welsh Government’s work on future tax development, assisting in the delivery of our Programme for Government.
I look forward to future reports from the WRA on its progress against its Corporate Plan for 2022 to 2025.
This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.