OK ... so I said I wouldn't be doing too many picture posts ... but in light of the Public Accounts Committee grilling of tax-avoiding companies Starbucks, Amazon and Google yesterday ...
Please feel free to use it as you will ...
In the interest of fairness, however, I would point out that Margaret Hodge (Chair of the Committee) must have some major "cojones" if this Telegraph story is to be believed
All you publicans and brewers out there must be wondering WTF is going on in this country when HMRC and HMG are intent on going after the little guy (and gal) when the big boys are getting away with such blatant and immoral tax evasion avoidance ... the "come the revolution" line is growing by the day and must now include not only bankers, but also their 'partners in crime' in the big accountancy firms. Don't you just love the new HMRC adverts?
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| But closing in on whom? |
With reports that the Treasury is facing a £48 billion "black hole" in its books that will require another £22 billion of tax increases or spending cuts in the next spending round, surely it's time HMG sorted this mess out and we had an equitable tax regime where all individuals and businesses paid a "just amount" of tax and contribute proportionally to the societies where their economic activity occurs (pubs and brewers paid a combined £11 billions in duty, tax, VAT, national insurance last year alone) and more importantly inculcate a moral climate where it is seen as the right thing to do to pay one's way and not a jolly wheeze to think of ever more intricate ways to cheat the public purse of one's fair share. Perhaps, and only then, will we feel "we're all in this together".
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