Labor has appointed a panel of experts to help it “modernize” HMRC if it wins the next election, with the shadow chancellor promising to stop people “hanging on the phone”.

Rachel Reeves told Sky News the panel would advise her on how to improve tax compliance, “bring extra money” into government coffers and update the technology behind the service suggestion.

She said the group would make recommendations on “how to modernize HMRC and provide a better experience for callers…who are often left hanging on the phone with no one answering the phone”.

The announcement comes weeks after U-turn from HMRC The company plans to close its helpline for six months amid public and political outcry.

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it also serves as the labor party Reveals how it will fill gaps in spending plans It comes after the Conservatives stole two revenue-raising policies – scrapping non-domestic tax status and extending windfall profits tax for oil and gas companies – to pay for national insurance cuts.

Reeves said the party would raise £5bn by the end of the next parliament to fund breakfast clubs for primary school pupils and increase appointments in the NHS by cracking down on tax avoidance and closing “loopholes” in the government’s own non-self-governing commitments.

The shadow chancellor told Sky News’ Tamara Cohen that £5bn was a small part of total public spending but insisted it was not “a drop in the ocean” She told Sky News’ Tamara Cohen: ” I think it’s going to make a big difference to people’s lives.” There are hundreds of thousands of us across the country and that’s the difference a Labor government will make. “

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She added: “[The] The Conservative government remains unwilling to properly crack down on tax avoidance and ensure our non-residents pay their fair share.

“it is [a] The Labor Government is willing to make these tough decisions and invest this money into our frontline public services. “

Reeves warned that “the incoming Labor government will be constrained in its actions” and accused the Conservatives of “erratic behavior on public finances”.

But she insisted everything in the party’s manifesto would be “with full regard to cost and funding”, adding: “After the chaos of the past few years, people can have the certainty and security of a well-functioning economy. .”

Asked whether she would consider tax cuts at the Treasury, Ms Reeves said: “I want the tax burden to be lower for ordinary working people, but I’m not making any promises and I can’t say how I would do that. “will continue. “

But she did reiterate Labour’s commitment to the pensions triple lock and suggested an emergency budget could be forthcoming if her party gets the keys to numbers 10 and 11.

Ms Reeves confirmed her first budget would include measures to close non-dom loopholes and extend the windfall tax, which Sky News understands will also include a VAT charge on private school tuition fees.

“Of course … we have to come up with a budget,” she said. “There also needs to be a spending review.

“But we’re taking it one thing at a time. We need to win elections and then we can implement these policies.”

Ms Reeves was also asked about the ongoing controversy surrounding the incident Labor deputy leader Angela Rayner and her living arrangements Before she became a member of Congress.

Ms Rayner faces accusations that she evaded capital gains tax after selling her Stockport property in 2015 and falsely registered to vote while living in her then-husband’s house nearby, which she denies.

Asked if he had seen the tax advice provided to Ms Rayner, the shadow chancellor said: “ No, because I have not seen any of my colleagues’ tax returns or tax or legal advice, and I do not treat Angela Renner any differently than my other colleagues.

“But she accepted the advice because she was confident and I have full confidence and trust in my friend and colleague Angela Reiner.”