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Sustainable Economy > Published by Will Straw, August 9th 2010 at 9:45 am

Cameron’s one-sided crusade on cheats

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David Cameron’s Sunday Times article yesterday signalled a “war on welfare cheats”. But the Coalition is silent on the larger problem of tax cheats and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have announced that they will no longer produce some of their key stats on enforcement.

David Cameron yesterday described welfare and tax credit overpayments as the “one area of ingrained waste that outranks all others”. He wrote:

“Simply shrugging our shoulders at benefit fraud is a luxury we can no longer afford – which is why Iain Duncan Smith is working on the radical steps we can take to deal with it.”

But as the Guardian reports today:

“Some coalition ministers point out that of the £3.1bn of identified fraud and error in the benefits system in 2009-10, only £1bn is attributable to fraud, as opposed to system failure. Of the £2.1bn identified in the tax credit system in 2008-9, only £460m is attributable to fraud.”

Meanwhile, before the election in March, HM Revenue and Customs updated its ‘Measuring tax gaps 2009‘ report and outlined that, “The size of the UK tax gap is estimated to be around £40 billion in 2007-08.” The tax gap is “the difference between tax collected and that, which in HMRC’s view, should be collected.” Only £3 billion is attributed to error with £5 billion due to criminal attacks, £7 billion due to tax evasion and a further £7 billion due to tax avoidance.

Chart: The welfare and tax gaps including proportion due to systemic error

The gap includes £11.5 billion from VAT, £8.9 billion from corporation tax including £3.1 through “avoidance by Very Large Businesses”, and £7.2 billion from inaccurate self-assessment returns from individuals. Accountant and blogger, Richard Murphy, estimates that the gap is closer to £120 billion.

During the general election, the Liberal Democrats set out plans to raise £4.6 billion from “anti-avoidance measures”. But the Coalition has been largely silent since. In the Budget, George Osborne’s only mention of “tax avoidance” came in a reference to the coalition’s decision to raise capital gains tax while the Budget red book made only the vaguest of noises:

“The Government is committed to tackling tax avoidance and intends to develop strategic responses to address long-standing avoidance risks.”

As reported in the Observer yesterday, HMRC have – since May – stopped publishing information on “the number of prosecutions against taxpayers and the success rate of court actions pursued by HMRC”.

  • http://twitter.com/sarahbs_27/status/20693323777 Sarah Beattie-Smith

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats – tax gap 5x greater than welfare gap http://bit.ly/cdOTzF

  • http://twitter.com/hernameismartha/status/20693407124 Sarah Broadley

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats – tax gap 5x greater than welfare gap http://bit.ly/cdOTzF

  • http://twitter.com/houseoftwits/status/20693434366 House Of Twits

    RT @leftfootfwd Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats – tax gap 5x greater than welfare gap http://bit.ly/cdOTzF

  • http://twitter.com/franlt/status/20693438766 Francesca Turner

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats – tax gap 5x greater than welfare gap http://bit.ly/cdOTzF

  • http://twitter.com/trakgalvis/status/20693589134 Trakgalvis

    Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats – tax gap 5x greater than welfare gap http://bit.ly/cdOTzF via @leftfootfwd

  • http://twitter.com/felicityburch/status/20693641518 Felicity Burch

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats – tax gap 5x greater than welfare gap http://bit.ly/cdOTzF

  • http://twitter.com/mrpower/status/20693689260 Mike Power

    Started reading this until I got to the point where they quoted that useless, gormless cunt, Richard Murphy. http://is.gd/e9Lq2

  • http://twitter.com/hanlemic/status/20693966109 Michael Hanley

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats – tax gap 5x greater than welfare gap http://bit.ly/cdOTzF

  • http://twitter.com/oxkev/status/20693969676 Oxford Kevin

    RT @leftfootfwd Cameron's class war continues – tax gap 5x greater than welfare gap http://bit.ly/cdOTzF

  • anyleftiwonder

    Says all you need to know about this coalition and its priorities !

  • http://twitter.com/john_jameson/status/20694111759 John Jameson

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats – tax gap 5x greater than welfare gap http://bit.ly/cdOTzF

  • http://twitter.com/antipathy/status/20694202488 Simon Shrimpton

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats http://bit.ly/cdOTzF

  • http://twitter.com/montgomerychris/status/20694277559 Chris Montgomery

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats – tax gap 5x greater than welfare gap http://bit.ly/cdOTzF

  • http://twitter.com/jordanbhall/status/20694749989 Jordan Hall

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats – tax gap 5x greater than welfare gap http://bit.ly/cdOTzF

  • http://twitter.com/westernshores/status/20695483711 Pen

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats – tax gap 5x greater than welfare gap http://bit.ly/cdOTzF

  • http://bestblogs.labourhome.org/2010/08/09/cameron%e2%80%99s-one-sided-crusade-on-cheats/ Cameron’s one-sided crusade on cheats « The best Labour blogs

    [...] More… [...]

  • http://twitter.com/petergcampbell/status/20697780640 Peter Campbell

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats http://bit.ly/cdOTzF

  • http://twitter.com/andy_s_64/status/20698603714 Andy Sutherland

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats – tax gap 5x greater than welfare gap http://bit.ly/cdOTzF

  • http://twitter.com/matt0wen/status/20699011019 Matthew Owen

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats – tax gap 5x greater than welfare gap http://bit.ly/cdOTzF

  • http://twitter.com/turmaine/status/20700786397 Matthew

    Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats – tax gap 5x greater than welfare gap http://bit.ly/cdOTzF (via @leftfootfwd)

  • http://twitter.com/unisoneastmids/status/20700958249 UNISON East Midlands

    Cameron’s one-sided crusade on cheats http://is.gd/e9UjD

  • http://twitter.com/joecassels/status/20702956345 Joe Cassels

    RT @Turmaine: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats – tax gap 5x greater than welfare gap http://bit.ly/cdOTzF (via @leftfootfwd)

  • http://twitter.com/andrewroche/status/20703396316 Andrew Roche

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats – tax gap 5x greater than welfare gap http://bit.ly/cdOTzF

  • http://twitter.com/matt_zarbcousin/status/20707817565 Matthew Zarb-Cousin

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats http://is.gd/e9UjD

  • http://twitter.com/vidalconsulting/status/20707941037 Leo Vidal Consulting

    Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats | Left Foot Forward: The gap includes £11.5 billion from VAT, £8.9 billion f… http://bit.ly/cXZND6

  • http://twitter.com/yorkierosie/status/20707996435 yorkierosie

    RT @matt_zarbcousin: RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats http://is.gd/e9UjD

  • http://twitter.com/anpa2001/status/20709827445 R Gordon

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats http://is.gd/e9UjD <Tax gap (diff bet tax due & tax collected) enormous.

  • http://twitter.com/theday2day/status/20714133803 Adam White

    Cameron wants to wage war on scroungers (as long as theyre not rich) http://bit.ly/aXIJ0s

  • http://twitter.com/johninnit/status/20714224570 John

    RT @theday2day: Cameron wants to wage war on scroungers (as long as theyre not rich) http://bit.ly/aXIJ0s

  • http://twitter.com/sirrontail/status/20714512465 Liat Norris

    RT @theday2day: Cameron wants to wage war on scroungers (as long as theyre not rich) http://bit.ly/aXIJ0s

  • http://twitter.com/franlt/status/20714555008 Francesca Turner

    RT @theday2day: Cameron wants to wage war on scroungers (as long as theyre not rich) http://bit.ly/aXIJ0s

  • http://twitter.com/lambertsimnel/status/20717124427 Steve Wood

    RT @theday2day: Cameron wants to wage war on scroungers (as long as theyre not rich) http://bit.ly/aXIJ0s

  • http://twitter.com/anpa2001/status/20717359863 R Gordon

    Camo declaring war on benefit cheats http://bit.ly/cvm1yl & @nextleft response re tax cheats' http://is.gd/e9UjD

  • http://twitter.com/jackstone36/status/20721700365 Jack Stone

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats http://bit.ly/cXZND6

  • http://twitter.com/madresearch/status/20723397822 Maisy

    Deja vu RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats – tax gap 5x greater than welfare gap http://bit.ly/cdOTzF

    < FFS!

  • http://twitter.com/ninasquires/status/20723763297 Nina Squires

    RT @Madresearch: Deja vu RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats – tax gap 5x greater than welfare gap http://bit.ly/cdOTzF

    < FFS!

  • http://twitter.com/jamestplunkett/status/20726250261 James Plunkett

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats – tax gap 5x greater than welfare gap http://bit.ly/cdOTzF

  • http://twitter.com/jruddy99/status/20727812961 John Ruddy

    war on benefits 'cheats' but not on tax cheats RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats http://bit.ly/cXZND6

  • http://twitter.com/joshuwahwah/status/20727877500 Josh Eades

    RT @jruddy99: war on benefits 'cheats' but not on tax cheats RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats http://bit.ly/cXZND6

  • http://twitter.com/petebowler/status/20728074478 Pete Bowler

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats http://bit.ly/cXZND6

  • http://twitter.com/welshcollie7/status/20728362771 Colette

    RT @jruddy99:war on benefits 'cheats' but not on tax cheats RT @leftfootfwd: http://bit.ly/cXZND6 << Going for the 'easier target' #condem

  • sevillista

    David Cameron sais “Simply shrugging our shoulders at £40 billion of tax evasion is a luxury we can continue to afford (unlike the £0.5 billion of benefit fraud) – which is why Iain Duncan Smith does not give a toss about this.”

  • http://twitter.com/sinnaluvva/status/20730264623 Malcolm Evison

    Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats | Left Foot Forward: http://bit.ly/aXQQ5y via @addthis

  • http://twitter.com/tjm_77/status/20730702487 Tim Martin

    Typical Tories: RT @leftfootfwd Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats – tax gap 5x greater than welfare gap http://bit.ly/cdOTzF

  • http://twitter.com/marshajane/status/20731064737 Marshajane Thompson

    RT @theday2day: Cameron wants to wage war on scroungers (as long as theyre not rich) http://bit.ly/aXIJ0s

  • http://twitter.com/beaubilly10/status/20735703374 fljf

    RT @sinnaluvva: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats | Left Foot Forward: http://bit.ly/aXQQ5y via @addthis

  • http://twitter.com/their_vodka/status/20736129823 their_vodka

    RT @sinnaluvva: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats | Left Foot Forward: http://bit.ly/aXQQ5y via @addthis

  • http://twitter.com/jammers20/status/20746248463 James Looker

    RT @sinnaluvva: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats | Left Foot Forward: http://bit.ly/aXQQ5y via @addthis

  • http://twitter.com/manishtasunnia/status/20774650086 manishta sunnia

    RT @oxkev: RT @leftfootfwd Cameron's class war continues – tax gap 5x greater than welfare gap http://bit.ly/cdOTzF

  • http://twitter.com/their_vodka/status/20778311283 their_vodka

    Cameron attacks benefit fraud but coalition strangely silent on billions tax cheats walk off with http://bit.ly/aSTpeU #condem

  • http://twitter.com/leninology/status/20778408574 leninology

    RT @their_vodka: Cameron attacks benefit fraud but coalition strangely silent on billions tax cheats walk off with http://bit.ly/aSTpeU #condem

  • http://twitter.com/videonasty/status/20778503817 VideoNasty

    RT @their_vodka: Cameron attacks benefit fraud but coalition strangely silent on billions tax cheats walk off with http://bit.ly/aSTpeU #condem

  • http://twitter.com/msgracefh/status/20778754565 Grace F-H

    RT @their_vodka: Cameron attacks benefit fraud but coalition strangely silent on billions tax cheats walk off with http://bit.ly/aSTpeU

  • http://twitter.com/atlantean7001/status/20778793958 Stuart Vallantine

    RT @msgracefh: RT @their_vodka: Cameron attacks benefit fraud but coalition strangely silent on billions tax cheats walk off with http://bit.ly/aSTpeU

  • http://twitter.com/martinjdeane/status/20779833471 Martin Deane

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats http://is.gd/e9UjD

  • http://twitter.com/happyasamonkey/status/20780064084 Happyass Monkey

    RT @leninology: RT @their_vodka: Cameron attacks benefit fraud but coalition strangely silent on billions tax cheats… http://bit.ly/aSTpeU

  • Mr. Sensible

    I see that in the news today Cameron’s looking at using credit agencies to clamp down on benefit cheats.

    I rather think the ‘cut benefits’ brigade need a bit of a reality check; earlier yesterday, we read about the survey of the labour market by the CIPD, which showed that redundancy is forecast to hit a larger proportion of the workforce.

    On the question of tax avoidance, Will, this may be slightly off topic, but I did some reading on administration law in the light of events with Portsmouth football club, and I think the previous government may have made a mistake here. According to what I read on Wikipedia,
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administration_(British_football)#cite_note-25

    the 2002 Enterprise Act, amending the 1986 Insolvency Act, removed HMRC’s preferential right to recover taxes when a business fails. 1 of the results of which has been the ‘Football Creditors Rule’, which for those of you who don’t know means that when a club is in trouble, football creditors; other clubs, players, and their agents, get accounted for first, and other creditors, including the Revenue are having to fight over the rest. Any thoughts on this, Will?

  • http://twitter.com/nadiashanaz/status/20781094883 Nadia

    RT @their_vodka: Cameron attacks benefit fraud but coalition strangely silent on billions tax cheats walk off with http://bit.ly/aSTpeU #condem

  • http://twitter.com/greenjennyjones/status/20782184964 Jenny Jones

    If Cameron wants fair government, why not crack down on tax cheats too, or is that biting the hand that feeds tories? http://bit.ly/aVzL2W

  • http://tom.acrewoods.net Tom Chance

    Of the £40bn, using the table on page 8 it looks like (perfectly legal) avoidance is estimated at 4.5bn, suggesting that the remaining £35.5bn is evasion. That’s a pretty surprising breakdown!

  • http://twitter.com/t1mmyb/status/20782368704 Tim Beadle

    RT @GreenJennyJones: If Cameron wants fair government, why not crack down on tax cheats too, or is that biting the hand that feeds tories? http://bit.ly/aVzL2W

  • http://twitter.com/copwatcher/status/20782536864 Kevin Blowe

    RT @GreenJennyJones: If Cameron wants fair government, why not crack down on tax cheats too, or is that biting the hand that feeds tories? http://bit.ly/aVzL2W

  • http://twitter.com/gotofritz/status/20782796792 fritz

    RT @their_vodka: Cameron attacks benefit fraud but coalition strangely silent on billions tax cheats walk off with http://bit.ly/aSTpeU #condem

  • http://twitter.com/fullfact/status/20782870075 Full Fact

    @g_dawson Thanks for the suggestion, but think @leftfootfwd might have beaten us to it… http://bit.ly/aXIJ0s

  • http://twitter.com/butternotguns/status/20782975152 Butter Not Guns

    RT @GreenJennyJones: If Cameron wants fair government, why not crack down on tax cheats too, or is that biting the hand that feeds tories? http://bit.ly/aVzL2W

  • http://twitter.com/ianzeds/status/20783746143 Ian

    RT @GreenJennyJones: If Cameron wants fair government, why not crack down on tax cheats too, or is that biting the hand that feeds tories? http://bit.ly/aVzL2W

  • http://twitter.com/bridgewithout/status/20785462776 liliana dmitrovic

    RT @GreenJennyJones: If Cameron wants fair government, why not crack down on tax cheats too, or is that biting the hand that feeds tories? http://bit.ly/aVzL2W

  • http://twitter.com/introvertgeek/status/20788413731 Kenneth Christensen

    RT @GreenJennyJones: If Cameron wants fair government, why not crack down on tax cheats too, or is that biting the hand that feeds tories? http://bit.ly/aVzL2W

  • http://twitter.com/muldo1942/status/20789915483 muldo1942

    RT @their_vodka: Cameron attacks benefit fraud but coalition strangely silent on billions tax cheats walk off with http://bit.ly/aSTpeU …

  • http://twitter.com/mariecx99/status/20792513578 mariecx99

    RT @their_vodka: Cameron attacks benefit fraud but coalition strangely silent on billions tax cheats walk off with http://bit.ly/aSTpeU #condem

  • http://twitter.com/metaltoast/status/20794726555 Mark L

    RT @GreenJennyJones: If Cameron wants fair government, why not crack down on tax cheats too, or is that biting the hand that feeds tories? http://bit.ly/aVzL2W

  • http://twitter.com/mkcurry/status/20798737724 Michael Curry

    RT @their_vodka: Cameron attacks benefit fraud but coalition strangely silent on billions tax cheats walk off with http://bit.ly/aSTpeU #condem

  • http://twitter.com/willc00per/status/20800099727 William Cooper

    Who are the real spongers? Tax evasion = £40bn; Benefit fraud = £1bn http://bit.ly/aXIJ0s

  • http://twitter.com/paulbarasi/status/20806976756 Paul Barasi

    RT @GreenJennyJones: If Cameron wants fair government, why not crack down on tax cheats too, or is that biting the hand that feeds tories? http://bit.ly/aVzL2W

  • http://twitter.com/osauvage/status/20807059734 Phoebe Paxton

    RT @GreenJennyJones: If Cameron wants fair government, why not crack down on tax cheats too, or is that biting the hand that feeds tories? http://bit.ly/aVzL2W

  • http://twitter.com/katiecurtis/status/20808714969 KatieCurtis

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats http://bit.ly/cXZND6

  • http://twitter.com/revpriest/status/20817645685 RevPriest

    #MLP http://is.gd/ebQuW – Cameron says benefit fraud waste 'outranks all others'. Yeah? Well, no. Not, say, tax evasion.

  • http://twitter.com/paulbarasi/status/20822715897 Paul Barasi

    RT @RevPriest: #MLP http://is.gd/ebQuW – Cameron says benefit fraud waste 'outranks all others'. Yeah? Well, no. Not, say, tax evasion.

  • http://twitter.com/davebrownz/status/20860174360 dave brown

    RT @their_vodka: Cameron attacks benefit fraud but coalition strangely silent on billions tax cheats walk off with http://bit.ly/aSTpeU #condem

  • http://twitter.com/tm_at_mbs/status/20873249101 TM @ MBS

    RT @leftfootfwd Cameron’s one-sided crusade on cheats http://bit.ly/aSTpeU via @FullFact

  • Will

    Cameron agression towards benefit fraud also contradicts the Department for Work and Pension’s more nuanced response. Their 21st Century Welfare paper last week included the line

    “As a result [of the complexity of the benefits system] working legitimately is not a rational choice for many poor people to make. Fraud is always wrong, but we must recognise that the benefits system is making matters worse by pushing valuable work, and the aspiration that this can engender, underground.”

    Wholesale reform, not headline-grabbing piecemeal agression, is what’s needed.

  • Brian Smith

    The insistence that tax avoidance is evasion demonstrates all that is wrong with the socialist view of the world and shows as clearly as it can ever be shown the other-worldliness of the leftist perspective.

    You say that one estimate (from the obsessive Richard Murphy) of the amounts involved is £120Bn while others talk of £40Bn being lost due to what you insinuate, and Richard Murphy states categorically, is criminal activity by corporations and other enterprises.

    But can you really envisage a situation where companies faced with the opportunity to retain some part of £40 – 120Bn would not do all they could to do so?

    You’re more than happy to accept the rationality of deliberate worklessness (because any earned income would be less than the available benefits and so on) – which many people would say is not really a legitimate choice at all – while decrying what can only be seen as totally sensible behaviour by companies wishing to maximise their profits after tax.

    As ever the socialist way is both ways.

  • http://twitter.com/msikma/status/21241168218 Michiel Sikma

    Die conservatieven toch. http://is.gd/eiQeP Uitkeringsfraude vs belastingfraude. Drie keer raden waarop Cameron focust: http://is.gd/eiQiZ

  • http://twitter.com/brechtje/status/21248146994 brechtje

    “@msikma: Die conservatieven toch http://is.gd/eiQeP Uitkeringsfraude vs belastingfraude,3x raden waarop Cameron focust: http://is.gd/eiQiZ”

  • http://twitter.com/theoesc/status/21648538633 Theophile Escargot

    ConDems "soften stance" on tax cheats (£37bn) http://is.gd/eqO2e Only tough on benefits cheats (£2bn) http://is.gd/eqO6r

  • http://twitter.com/seanbamforth/status/21648797639 Sean Bamforth

    RT @TheoEsc: ConDems "soften stance" on tax cheats (£37bn) http://is.gd/eqO2e Only tough on benefits cheats (£2bn) http://is.gd/eqO6r

  • http://twitter.com/theroguewolf/status/25978014787 The Rogue Wolf

    £1bn per year is lost to benefit fraud but £42bn! is lost to tax cheats: http://bit.ly/cnVUhA & http://bit.ly/bBgOzm : http://bit.ly/9dBGYA

  • http://www.shoah.org.uk/2010/10/01/con-dom-government-plans-for-service-cuts/ CON-DOM GOVERNMENT PLANS FOR SERVICE CUTS | SHOAH

    [...] a year to benefit fraud, while the government admits that £42 billion a year is lost to tax cheats http://www.leftfootforward.org/2010/08/camerons-one-sided-crusade-on-cheats/ and http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/aug/08/cuts-savings-welfare-schools-defence [5] [...]

  • http://twitter.com/newleftproject/status/27617326975 NewLeftProject

    Osborne plans benefit cheat 'hit squads' http://is.gd/g5gFu cost of b. fraud: £1bn. Cost of tax cheats: tens of billions http://is.gd/g5gKp

  • http://twitter.com/johnbrissenden/status/27617685424 John Brissenden

    RT @NewLeftProject: Osborne plans benefit cheat 'hit squads' http://is.gd/g5gFu cost of b. fraud: £1bn. Cost of tax cheats: tens of billions http://is.gd/g5gKp

  • http://twitter.com/shunyata_kharg/status/27634764740 Christopher Ireland

    RT @NewLeftProject: Osborne plans benefit cheat 'hit squads' http://is.gd/g5gFu cost of b. fraud: £1bn. Cost of tax cheats: tens of billions http://is.gd/g5gKp

  • http://twitter.com/bumblebums/status/144925362470662144 B Bigelow
  • http://twitter.com/rambleramble28/status/144926679289180160 Emma Davies

    Once again, all the talk frm the right's abt benefit fraud – but nothing on tax avoidance – c this graph 4 more: http://t.co/G8hLZ5P5 #BBCqt

  • http://twitter.com/jintyg51/status/144927066545070080 Janet Graham

    Once again, all the talk frm the right's abt benefit fraud – but nothing on tax avoidance – c this graph 4 more: http://t.co/G8hLZ5P5 #BBCqt

  • http://twitter.com/darkestangel31/status/144936142289117184 DarkestAngel

    Once again, all the talk frm the right's abt benefit fraud – but nothing on tax avoidance – c this graph 4 more: http://t.co/G8hLZ5P5 #BBCqt

  • http://twitter.com/golookgoread/status/144937156673155073 goLookGoRead

    Once again, all the talk frm the right's abt benefit fraud – but nothing on tax avoidance – c this graph 4 more: http://t.co/G8hLZ5P5 #BBCqt

  • http://twitter.com/frdragonspouse/status/144939279540420609 Jill Hayward

    Once again, all the talk frm the right's abt benefit fraud – but nothing on tax avoidance – c this graph 4 more: http://t.co/G8hLZ5P5 #BBCqt

  • http://twitter.com/catsheps/status/144941668725030914 Catherine Sheppard

    Once again, all the talk frm the right's abt benefit fraud – but nothing on tax avoidance – c this graph 4 more: http://t.co/G8hLZ5P5 #BBCqt

  • http://twitter.com/liveinthegrey/status/144943620980621312 David Brown

    Once again, all the talk frm the right's abt benefit fraud – but nothing on tax avoidance – c this graph 4 more: http://t.co/G8hLZ5P5 #BBCqt

  • http://twitter.com/ligomersall/status/145036672470487041 liane gomersall

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats http://t.co/oX62WoOK

  • http://twitter.com/wikimir/status/145038348396933120 Ken Rice

    RT @leftfootfwd: Cameron's one-sided crusade on cheats http://t.co/xgsiyJyT

  • http://twitter.com/cuchulaindundee/status/145056828118667264 Alan Cowan

    Once again, all the talk frm the right's abt benefit fraud – but nothing on tax avoidance – c this graph 4 more: http://t.co/G8hLZ5P5 #BBCqt

  • http://twitter.com/senorajuana/status/145058370284552192 Jane Howie

    Once again, all the talk frm the right's abt benefit fraud – but nothing on tax avoidance – c this graph 4 more: http://t.co/G8hLZ5P5 #BBCqt

  • http://twitter.com/poutingpou/status/145079960212742144 Kyron Hodgetts

    LeftFtFwd "all the talk frm the right's abt benefit fraud – but nothing on tax avoidance – c this graph 4 more: http://t.co/sdpY0iFB #BBCqt

  • http://twitter.com/poutingpou/status/145080096934461441 Kyron Hodgetts

    Once again, all the talk frm the right's abt benefit fraud – but nothing on tax avoidance – c this graph 4 more: http://t.co/G8hLZ5P5 #BBCqt

  • http://twitter.com/newsframes/status/145080634493239297 News Frames

    Once again, all the talk frm the right's abt benefit fraud – but nothing on tax avoidance – c this graph 4 more: http://t.co/G8hLZ5P5 #BBCqt

  • http://twitter.com/jenmclaughlin1/status/145081630430724096 Jen McLaughlin

    Once again, all the talk frm the right's abt benefit fraud – but nothing on tax avoidance – c this graph 4 more: http://t.co/G8hLZ5P5 #BBCqt

  • http://twitter.com/petefitzpatrick/status/145199026688634880 PeterJFitzpatrick

    Once again, all the talk frm the right's abt benefit fraud – but nothing on tax avoidance – c this graph 4 more: http://t.co/G8hLZ5P5 #BBCqt

  • http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/12/public-accounts-committee-report-on-big-business-tax-dodging/ Tax isn’t taxing when you’re Goldman Sachs | Left Foot Forward

    [...] All of this reinforces the image that HMRC has one rule for the rich and another for everyone else. As we reported last year, the actual tax gap – when unpaid tax from small businesses and individuals is taken into account, as well as the biggest companies which the committee looked at – may be as high as £40 billion. [...]

  • http://twitter.com/p4rus/status/164707937640652800 James Astley

    @WansteadBirder best I can find at short notice: http://t.co/XAbvlxSm Somewhat old, slightly off-topic but illustrates my "piddling" point.