One thing that was uncomfortably accurate was the attitude (and inconsistency) of some of the officials though. Just this week we had to deal with a lovely, err, gentleman from the HMRC as we got a notice of a £100 fine for self assessment for my wife, that would "dramatically increase" if we didn't file a return by may 1st (we got the letter on April 28th...)
My wife hasn't been self employed for 3 years, and deregistered for self assessment over 18 months ago.
But... Honest to God, the way this guy spoke to her over the phone
. It ended thus;
HMRC: "you owe the money. Are you going to make a payment or not? And if you don't sort out your attitude I'm going to hang up on you."
(She was being perfectly polite, just firmly stating the facts)
Wife: "Excuse me? My attitude??"
HMRC: "Goodbye." and he hung up!
She called back, got a different person who laughed and joked with her, and had the whole thing sorted and the charge cancelled within 5 minutes.
We were sat watching the film thinking just how much some of the Job Centre people sounded like that first guy
.