HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the UK’s tax authority, has signed an outsourcing agreement with Accenture to strengthen its in-house IT capability. The consultancy will develop a new IT strategy for the authority in an attempt to reduce costs.

Under the £10m agreement, Accenture will also make services available to other organisations involved in enforcing tax and customs laws, such as, the Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office, the Serious Organised Crime Agency, the UK Border Agency and the Home Office.

This deal marks an important step for HMRC in light of new powers granted to the Information Commissioner's Office allowing it to fine departments and companies in breach of data protection laws.