SMALL businesses support the Government s efforts to ensure companies pay the tax and National Insurance contributions they owe, but they fear a new hotline will generate malicious calls targeting honest businesses. The Federation of Small Businesses Hunt

SMALL businesses support the Government's efforts to ensure companies pay the tax and National Insurance contributions they owe, but they fear a new hotline will generate malicious calls targeting honest businesses.

The Federation of Small Businesses Huntingdonshire chairman Malcolm Lyons said: "HM Revenue and Customs are right to seek out employers dodging tax - they dishonestly undercut members who obey the law. But a hotline such as this will have to be staffed, with an office provided, when those resources and people could be much better employed targeting rogue employers in the field."

The campaign urges employees who think their boss is not paying the right tax or National Insurance to call an HMRC hotline to report them.

John Walker, FSB National Policy Chairman, said: "This is the second time in just over a year that HMRC has launched a media campaign that demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the world of business.

"It is a lazy way for a Government department to do its job - effectively outsourcing its role to the workforce. However, this 'shop your boss' campaign will inevitably lead to some disgruntled employees phoning the hotline out of spite.