Eight months and counting - Feedback

Neil Young reports a delay of eight months in getting a VAT registration process ('Feedback', Taxation, 9 August 2007, page 166). We have a case that now exceeds eight months and still remains unregistered.
All of HMRC's questions have been answered promptly and accurately, but no response (other than the 'don't call us — we'll call you' circular) until we managed to get through to the registration office on 10 August 2007 (an achievement in itself!) only to be informed that the case had been transferred 'to another office back in May', and that there was nothing that they could do to expedite the matter.
Our client does not deal in mobile telephones, or computer chips, but in plastic trays for the delivery of groceries!
Don't they accept the word of professional advisers — what happened to 'working together'?
David Bertram FCA, CTA,
Kevin Beare & Co.

Issue: 4124 / Categories: Forum & Feedback