What the HMRC is doing is highway robbery. I always hated their unethical practices. I was once unemployed for a week, and I had to shout at them to get my money, after I've been paying tax for 2.5 years. The just assumed that them not bothering with a week's unemployment payout is not something I'd mind. All the while lazy bastard all across the UK would pretend they're ill and live on benefits for many years. Out of my taxes!