WORKERS at Sutton Scotney services could finally be entitled to a pay-out, 30 years after they were due a sum of money.

Cleaners, caterers and other employees at Roadchef motorway service stations including at least 20 staff member who worked at the one on the A34 were promised a tax-free bonus for their work.

However, campaigners say they were left in financial limbo, saying they are still waiting for their money three decades later.

Roadchef Employees Benefits Trust Ltd (REBTL) chairman Christopher Smith said: “The hardworking people at Sutton Scotney Roadchef service station are among thousands of low paid people who have waited far too long to get their dues, some dying without ever receiving a penny.

“We have had some very supportive MPs but many others could have done much more. I would still urge all Roadchef beneficiaries to ask their MPs to contact HMRC, to raise this scandal on the floor of the House of Commons and urge the Government to change the law."

Mr Smith added: “The Sutton Scotney employees have suffered as a result of some utterly unscrupulous behaviour.

“The Revenue need to do the right thing and bring an end to this mess, allowing us to make tax-free distribution to the beneficiaries.

“An inquiry is urgent to ensure lessons can be learned from this and a resolution brought before more hardworking people die without what’s rightfully owed.”

Mr Smith also said HMRC should be reviewed by the treasury select committee, saying there had been "dither and delay" in reaching a solution.

A HMRC spokesperson said: "Due to taxpayer confidentiality we cannot comment on the specifics of the case, but are working to bring it to a conclusion.”

The saga began back in 1986 when Roadchef boss Patrick Gee set up a system where workers could be rewarded through tax-free incentives.

When he died, the company was left in the hands of Timothy Ingram Hill, and was ineligible for Gordon Brown’s scheme to exempt systems like this from tax.

A lengthy court battle over the money led to a High Court settlement in 2014, but it emerged millions of pounds relating to the scheme had been paid in tax by Mr Ingram Hill.

Following significant pressure from REBTL lawyers and MPs, HMRC paid the money back to the employee trust in September 2018. This victory led former and current Roadchef employees to believe distribution was close.

This proved not to be the case, however, and the campaign continues.