Britain must focus on tax reform and enforcement before ramping up levies, a group of MPs and experts has warned.
The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Anti-Corruption and Responsible Tax is urging the Government to make the tax system fairer, as Chancellor Jeremy Hunt considers a swathe of tax hikes to fill the £40billion hole in the public purse.
Reform: By simplifying taxes, and focusing more resources on pursuing tax avoiders, the APPG thinks the Treasury would be able to pull in more cash
By simplifying taxes, and focusing more resources on pursuing tax avoiders, the APPG thinks the Treasury would be able to pull in more cash without necessarily increasing the overall burden on businesses and households.
Tory MP Kevin Hollinrake said: ‘HM Revenue & Customs chief executive Jim Harra recently [said] that it collects £26 for every £1 spent on enforcement, so why don’t we spend a lot more?
‘And whilst we’re at it, spend more on prosecutions, particularly of the advisers.’
