HMRC signs IT development deal with Accenture

£10m partnership deal will help HMRC develop its in-house IT capability

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has signed a £10m partnership deal with Accenture to develop its in-house IT capability.

In a statement published in the Official Journal of the European Union, the department said the deal will see Accenture improve the capabilities of its in-house IT development team, as well as IMS Solutions Development and Delivery.

Accenture will also actively contribute to the development of an IT strategy for the department, one of the priorities of which will be cost reduction.

HMRC emphasised that its new IT partner must comply with data security requirements, which is particularly important in light of new powers granted to the Information Commissioner's Office allowing it to fine departments and companies in breach of data protection laws.

The contract is currently valued at £10m, down from the estimate of between £18m and £36m quoted in the tender document.

The deal will also see Accenture make services available to other organisations involved in enforcing tax and customs laws such as the Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office, the Serious Organised Crime Agency, UK Border Agency and the Home Office.

This article originally appeared in Kable.