HMRC’s attack dog squad saps the UK’s entrepreneurial spirit.

How the New HMRC “Wealthy and Mid‑Size Business Compliance” Squad Is Making Small Biz Scared

What the Squad Is Actually Up To

HMRC has a new squad called the Wealthy and Mid‑Size Business Compliance team (WMBC for short). It’s basically a fancy name for a group that preys on anyone who feels “rich enough” to keep the government’s pockets lined.
Last year they claimed £119 billion in personal tax—about a quarter of the UK’s total tax haul—while corporate giants brag about “business is the engine of our economy.”
Sure, every dollar of public spend comes from the business sector, but that point gets lost whenever politicians fluster over the word “wealth” on formal speeches.

The Impact on the 99% of Business Owners

Every year, about 5.5 million SMEs—small shops, startups, or the lonely café on the corner—fight tooth and nail to keep the lights on.
When the WMBC targets these firms, it’s like a bulldozer chopping through a hedge. The result? Money dries up, staff get laid‑off, and the whole economy gets a serious nipping.
Meanwhile, some foreign giants slip under the radar, exploiting loopholes while the local PLCs feel the sting of heavy scrutiny.

Why This Is Economic Suicide

Think back to 1794: England was dubbed a “nation of shopkeepers” by Napoleon. He was fishing for a jab, but the message was clear—small, everyday businesses have always been the backbone of the British economy. This new war on SMEs is basically a vote‑of‑confidence exercise that profiles those 99% as the “weak link.”

What About Those Who Have Already Moved On?

Over 11,000 millionaires left the UK last year—all because of a hostile fiscal regime. One can’t help but wonder: is the country really betting on fresh investment when it’s turning a blind eye to its own entrepreneurs?

What Should Be Done?

To pay for essentials like housing, health, and the military, the UK needs a healthy influx of new business activity—otherwise we’re headed for a fiscal “donut hole.”
Instead of sabotaging the very creators of jobs and wealth, we should clear a path for these small enterprises to flourish.
If we keep tightening the screws, the inevitable fallout will be fewer earnings, higher bills, and a shrinking future for everyone.