Richest not contributing their fair share of tax, says TUC

29 June 2015

Commenting on new figures released today (Monday) by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) – which show that the tax system hits the poorest harder than the wealthiest, but that tax credits are making an important difference reducing inequality – TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“There can be no argument for reducing taxes for the richest when they are already contributing a smaller share of their income than the poorest. The government should instead be looking at how the wealthiest can make a fairer contribution to improving the public finances.

“Without tax credits, the low-paid would be much worse off. It will be a disaster for millions of families if the government rushes ahead with plans for extreme cuts to support for people in work. They should focus instead on the investment needed to get productivity growing and wages rising.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The ONS report The Effects of Taxes and Benefits on Household Income finds that the richest fifth of the UK population contribute 35.1 per cent of their income in tax, compared to 37.4 per cent for the poorest fifth. The full report can be found at www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/household-income/the-effects-of-taxes-and-benefits-on-household-income/2013-2014/etb-stats-bulletin-2013-14.html

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

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