According to an article in The Telegraph, IT outsourcing supplier Hewlett-Packard predicts massive transformation for Britain’s tax and benefit infrastructure should Scotland vote “Yes”.

HP are developing contingency plans for both scenarios, however separating the IT systems used in HP’s deal with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) should Scotland gain independence, will take time, effort and money.

It is estimated by the Treasury that setting up a new IT system to pay benefits will cost a Scottish government £400m. Whitehall has also estimated that there would be another bill of £500m to create new systems to handle tax administration, due to happen by 2020 on Alex Salmond’s schedule. HP would be expected to bid for the extra work.

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