HMRC data loss a 'cultural' problem

Cultural problems were to blame for the loss of discs with 25 million people's data by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and not a single official, a review instigated by the chancellor revealed.

In November last year Alistair Darling ordered Kieran Poynter to investigate the loss of data discs with details of 25 million people sent via courier TNT from the HMRC's base in the north-east to the National Audit Office in October.

At the time, Mr Darling blamed an oversight by a single official, but the report is expected to blame "cultural failures" at HMRC.

A further report into the data loss from the Independent Police Complaints Commission is due to be published, while the Cabinet Office is investigating how to improve Whitehall data handling.

The fall out of the report will be pressure on the prime minister, as it was Gordon Brown's move to merge Customs & Excise and Inland Revenue to form HMRC while he was chancellor.

Meanwhile the Cabinet Office report is expected to outline measures brought in to halt further data losses such as giving greater powers to the Information Commissioner.