Tax Avoidance, Evasion and Compliance Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Tax Avoidance, Evasion and Compliance

Christine Jardine Excerpts
Monday 4th March 2019

(5 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Mel Stride Portrait Mel Stride
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The issue of ensuring that we make it as simple as possible for employers to be able to assess the employment status of employees or contractors providing services is extremely important. It is central to the consultation that I have announced will open tomorrow and run for several weeks, and I urge my hon. Friend to contribute to it with his specific idea.

Christine Jardine Portrait Christine Jardine (Edinburgh West) (LD)
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Can the Minister explain why, on a day when they pulled business to avoid defeat on an amendment that could have meant the wealthiest businesses paid millions of pounds in tax, the Government feel it is acceptable to clamp down on ordinary families for national insurance and not pursue widespread, large-scale tax avoidance?

Mel Stride Portrait Mel Stride
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On the first part of the hon. Lady’s question, I think I have already answered why we decided not to go ahead with the legislation today. On clamping down on national insurance issues, I am not entirely sure to what she is specifically referring. If she would like to have a word with me after this statement, I would be happy to have a look at it.