Oral Answers to Questions

David Amess Excerpts

Tuesday 6th March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

As I have said, Northern Ireland tourism is doing well at present. Were we to pursue a relief along the lines adopted in the Republic of Ireland, it would involve a cost of some £8 billion, £9 billion or perhaps even £10 billion, which would have to be made up for by higher taxes or spending cuts elsewhere.

[Mr David Amess (Southend West) (Con)]

8. What steps he is taking to reduce tax avoidance and evasion.

[The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David Gauke)]

The Government are determined to tackle tax avoidance and evasion and ensure that the tax system operates fairly for all. By closing down two aggressive avoidance schemes on 27 February, we have demonstrated that we are prepared to take bold action to counter avoidance. The Government’s commitment has been underlined by their reinvestment of £917 million in Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, which will bring in additional revenues of £7 billion a year by 2014-15.

[Mr Amess]

The United Kingdom has the longest tax code in the world. It has 11,500 pages, and is 10 times longer than “War and Peace”. Does my hon. Friend agree that any simplifying measures would be welcome, as they would reduce tax avoidance and evasion and would prevent further ridiculous trials such as that of Harry Redknapp? I always thought that he was innocent, because he is such a good football manager,

[Mr Gauke]

I may be wrong, but I suspect that the hon. Gentleman should have declared himself to be a Tottenham supporter.

[Mr Amess]

No, West Ham.

[Mr Gauke]

So he is an ex-Harry Redknapp fan.

Complexity in the tax code can provide opportunities for avoidance, but, equally, much of the complexity that exists is a consequence of attempts to crack down on avoidance. The Government have set up the Office of Tax Simplification, and we are determined to do what we can to simplify the code and address avoidance and evasion.