An article in the Telegraph at the weekend can’t be ignored in the context of the Tax Gap:
The Prime Minister [has] singled out the Work and Pensions secretary for praise. [I]n an article in a Sunday newspaper, Mr Cameron threw his support behind Mr Duncan Smith. Pointing out that welfare and tax credit fraud and error costs the UK £5.2billion, Mr Cameron said: “Many see it as a fact of British life that have no hope of defeating.”
“I passionately disagree. 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 his ministers deny there is a tax gap they can do anything about. Even though it is £120 billion or thereabouts.
And that tax gap is increasing, as HMRC’s accounts show, and by much more than the benefit gap is, with HM Revenue & Customs saying:
The economic climate continues to pose a challenge to our business and our work on closing the tax gap. It affects attitudes to compliance. It has led to increased levels of criminality resulting in reduced cash flow to the Exchequer. It contributes to more payments being made late, with existing debts more difficult and costly to collect. We continue to deploy resources across a full range of interventions to disrupt fiscal crime and abuse and to level the playing field and provide assistance to honest businesses and individuals.
Note:
increased levels of criminality
and
resulting in reduced cash flow to the Exchequer
But is David Cameron saying:
Simply shrugging our shoulders at the tax gap is a luxury we can no longer afford
No, he’s not.
So here are my suggestions for the next round of questions to be tabled in Parliament:
- Why isn’t the Prime Minister giving as much attention to the UK tax gap as he is to benefit fraud when it is clear that the gains to be made in terms of fraud prevented, resources lost and the law upheld are much greater from tackling the tax gap?
- The Prime Minister has declared it unacceptable that a blind eye be turned to benefit fraud costing the government £5.2 billion a year and yet tax fraud in the form of tax evasion costs in the estimate of HM Revenue & Customs more than £30 billion a year and in the estimate of others £70 billion a year. Why is it acceptable to him and his ministers that a blind eye be turned to this bigger issue whilst he focuses our attention on the smaller one?
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❓ The DWP appear not to understand mental illness, which is to be cared for in the community. People with schizophrenia (now I believe as refered to as psychosis) are mostly unable to work in the open market.They are not incapable of doing some things, but lack of continuity in their ability to work is due to a severe mental illness.They are also subject to a great deal of discriminatio.
Added to this anyone who is disabled and on disability benefits is only allowed to have a minimum amount of savings. This makes it diffiuclt for them to provide themselves with materials with which to occupy themselves, and occupation is part of their TREATMENT. Thus this can be marked down as an UNMET NEED. The minium wage also worked against both the disabled and the fit unemployed, and there are too many people exploited, especially as shown on a T.V. programme today regarding the exploitation of children and young people, either through the media, or by smuggling tactics for the purpose of prostitution. This has been fought loud and long by the ex-M.P. Anthony Steen.
Back to schizophrenia. This is a fluctuating illness and many do not receive the treatment to which they are entitled. They may not have insight into their condition This may be because of a variety of reasons, Medication which makes them feel ill, a poor memory for taking their medication, lack of support either from families who are unable to cope, or lack of suitable housing, with some degree of supervision by the professionals.They are very vulnerable people although many are intelligent, but lack the capability of living a happy and productive life due to their severe illnss. I refer you to http://www.schizophreniawatch.co.uk It is the first part that is of relevance,as some of the references which follow are not a true picture of the illness. I hope this will in some degree relate to your”blog” and that yo will support the mentally ill – not the scroungers – who I agree should be traced, but of who many are lacking in proper family backgrounds, and in education and discipline.
@Pat cull
Pat
Thanks for this
And yes – you do have my support
And some understanding
best
Richard
Thanks. I don’t know if you have the right peson as there are several of the same name. My reference was right, and an understanding by family is very important.