Your leader rightly says that the "government
cannot eliminate multinational tax avoidance on its own", but if this
administration wants to ensure more of us do not "lose faith in the fairness of
Britain", it can take some obvious and simple steps (Tax and the social
contract,8th April,2016). Publication of tax returns of all government
employees, from PM to judges and magistrates, from BBC presenters to athletes
and footballers representing our country, will help; as some American
revolutionaries nearly said,"no representation without taxation"! The government
could also, following the example of FDR back in the New Deal era, with his
award of Blue Eagles for economy-supportive companies, announce its full support
for the Fair Tax Mark. Tax avoiding businesses,
with their fiscal chicanery, run the risk of alienating the public, which is why
the Fair Tax Mark is so useful as a guide for consumers. The award can be used
in advertising, and on company logos, by the firms to encourage custom, winning
public support by their commitment to playing a part in revitalising the
country`s economy. Such companies can, at least, give the impression that they
are aware of the importance of taxation, in that it pays for the workforce`s
education, the transport facilities available, and the security every business
needs to prosper.
There are other simple devices to alter the
current culture too, such as changing the honours system to ensure no future
knighthoods and suchlike are awarded to individuals, and CEOs of companies,
involved in avoidance and evasion scams. Government contracts should only be
given to companies paying the correct amounts of tax, representatives from the
"big 4" accounting firms should be banned from government committees on tax, and
anti-avoidance "tax harmonisation" policies with the EU should be
adopted.
It`s hardly "rocket science", but it`s miles better
than meaningless Tory rhetoric!
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