Whistleblower reports to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have hit their highest level in five years as lawyers suggest the rise can be linked to a broadening sense of “public outrage”.

According to a freedom of information request to HMRC by City firm RPC, fraud reports have surged by 47 per cent in the past year, jumping from 106,920 in 2021/22 to 157,270 in 2022/23. Overall, this year’s figure is the highest number reported in the FOI, which dates back to 2018.