A Government guide for homosexual and transgender taxpayers has received a stinging rebuke from a prominent national newspaper commentator.
Richard Littlejohn’s comments were prompted by receiving a copy of HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) information booklet for gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual customers.
The glossy booklet, which features the gay pride flag on its front cover, promises that “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” is at the heart of the agency’s diversity agenda.
Why?
But Mr Littlejohn questioned the need for such a publication, saying: “Why? I can understand the Revenue might want to publish a pamphlet on the tax implications of civil partnerships. That is only right and proper.”
He added: “But in what other ways do the tax affairs of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and the transgendered differ from anyone else?”
The official booklet, which was produced in co-operation with the Department for Work and Pensions, also contains a commitment to challenge “all forms of homophobia and transphobia”.
Taxes
But Mr Littlejohn cautioned: “The job of HMRC is to collect taxes. Full stop. It doesn’t exist to further the cause of social engineering and ‘diversity’ .
“Of course, all taxpayers should be treated courteously and efficiently, regardless of their race, gender, religion or sexual proclivity.
“But that’s no excuse for this kind of expensive, time-wasting gesture politics.”
Diversity
He adds: “But these days, after 13 years of Labour, everyone in the public sector has to abase themselves before the altar of ‘diversity’, otherwise they can kiss their career goodbye.
“Try to imagine all the time and money wasted – not just in Whitehall but throughout local government, the police and the NHS – on this type of fatuous nonsense.
“The bill must run into tens of millions of pounds a year, if not more, at a time when the country is technically skint.”
Hair removal
In May the NHS in Glasgow was lambasted for offering almost £22k a year for a hair removal specialist for transsexuals.
Health officials in Strathclyde placed an advert for a full-time “Hair Removal Specialist – Transgender Services”, despite criticism that there may only be a handful of transsexuals in the area.
Skirts
In February equality bureaucrats claimed that making girls wear skirts as part of their school uniform was “potentially unlawful”.
A 68 page report said that the practice may discriminate against female pupils who have gender dysphoria and believe themselves to be boys.
Officials at the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) released the guidance in expectation that the new Equality Bill would become law.