Search

date: 23 July 2012

embargo: For immediate release

Ministers must cut tax avoidance off at source by closing loopholes

Commenting on plans announced by the government today (Monday) to crackdown on the promoters of aggressive tax avoidance schemes, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'As well as targeting aggressive tax avoiders, ministers must cut this multi-billion pound problem off at source by closing the many loopholes that the super-rich exploit.

'Successive governments have run shy of reforms to ensure the very wealthiest pay their fair share of tax. But with countries around the world under pressure to reduce deficits, fair tax is an economic necessity.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The Treasury announcement is available at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/press_64_12.htm

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

- Congress 2012 will be held at the Brighton Centre from Sunday 9 September to Wednesday 12 September. Free media passes can be obtained by visiting www.tuc.org.uk/mediacredentials and completing an online form. Applications must be in by noon on Wednesday 29 August. Any received later than that will be processed in Brighton and will cost £50. Please note that the Brighton Centre requires 60 days' notice for telephone line facilities. Details available on the link above.

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Elly Gibson T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: egibson@tuc.org.uk

Press release (300 words) issued 23 Jul 2012