Tax Havens

I don't understand why this has only just made the news...I've known for a long time about David Cameron's fathers links with tax avoidance schemes and thought it was common knowledge....although I didn't know the precise details.

GILL, even the editor of the Mail said - it is legal but it is immoral , and this is what angers me, I don't care what the persons politics are, it is the fact that they are dodging tax , just how much have they robbed us of, a young girl with MS loses her mobility car and that's accepted by many , I am just so angry about this, we all know tax avoiding goes on but this scale ? and the PM knew

Agreed Anniebach this is not Tory bashing, and is something that we should all be furious about irrespective of our political views and beliefs. On a lighter note, I am surprised that others are surprised that colleagues of Putin are involved, it is hardly a shock is it? But, getting back to the point, I would like to see a list of all those who have taken advantage of these schemes, as I understand it, it is not illegal to have an account offshore, but it is illegal not to declare that you have one. Why on earth would anyone need a secretive account other than for purposes of tax evasion or for laundering criminal proceeds? I expect, and certainly hope, that a few people have had restless nights, wondering when their name will be disclosed.
Even the right wing press are on their case.

How can a PM take money from the disabled yet accept thousands made in tax havens , it's sickening, this is not Tory bashing - as I have often been accused of doing - it's so wrong and there is no excuse anyone can make for it

All four big accountancy firms have dedicated tax avoidance departments of at least 50/60 staff. I saw them admit to this when being grilled by a parliamentary committee.

Those that can afford to pay tax - escape paying

Those that can least afford it - have no option but to pay

I find the whole unfairness of it all- distasteful and upsetting.

The total loss of tax from avoidance and evasion would solve all our financial problems. There would be no cuts to the NHS, councils, benefits, etc.
Why does the government not go for that?
Too much for us to find out?

A minority of people in this country use the tax system to avoid paying into the system, and will use money that is rightfully ours to keep cash for themselves. This includes the Prime Minister, even if it was his dad who set the system up and gained most from it.
By keeping money out of the tax system, they deny the right of others to benefit from the system. It is not a victimless crime, and the people who do it choose to deliberately.
What about the self-interest of the advisers as well?
All four big accountancy firms have offices in Panama. Why?

Cameron must know he can close these tax havens yet hasn't made any attempt , just keeps saying how he is going to stop this tax avoidance , now we have
Damien Green concerned for the loss of jobs there if we were to close them .

Why can he condemn Jimmy Carr for avoiding tax but say his family tax affairs are private , the man is corrupt

updates.oxfam.org.uk/c/1NExBL93GQTWXJEwvXMU0oake

Oxfam campaign to tell Cameron what to do about tax havens at the summit next month.
Do you think he will listen?

Worth repeating from an article posted by Dj

The defining scandal of the age - "the poor pay for the deficit whilst the rich avoid" Morally so so wrong.

Voxpolitical asks why there are no people asking for Cameron's resignation.

There was an epetition, which reached nearly 200,000, but the committee decided not to debate it as it was not in its remit.

On 16th April there is a demo by the People's Assembly in London.
I imagine after this there will be a huge increase in numbers attending, with lots of banners about taxes.

www.thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/hhje

voxpoliticalonline.com/2016/04/05/no-david-cameron-your-familys-tax-affairs-are-not-a-private-matter/

www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2016/04/05/we-can-change-the-law-in-the-uks-tax-havens-and-impose-direct-rule-if-they-dont-like-it/

Just what you said, Anniebach.

Seems we could stop this in British territories very quickly - if we wanted too

Tax avoidance by the rich[of all persusions] has become a national scandal. I like the post of 10.11 am whitewave.

It just doesn't stop at things like the NHS or other services that the less well off use but our tax goes towards the military and defence, supporting the establishment etc. In fact running the country the avoiders maintain they hold so dear. So who can claim patriotism? Not the dodgy avoiders, but the ordinary Brit.

On the Wright Stuff this morning they were reporting that there are mass demonstrations in Iceland after revelations regarding their Prime Minister's dodgy behaviour. As they said on the programme, in this country people tend to shrug and let these matters pass.

I agree with you whitewave. How can people stand for parliament when they or their families are engaging in the very practices that they publicly decry.

Forgot to ask where it's being held whitewave, was told it was being held in this country next month . This will be interesting

Lord Astor said Nicola Sturgen was no different to Magabue - can't spell his name !

whose running it? Where is it being held? I would opt for BVI!

Next month the UK is to hold an international anti corruption summit

I think that there ought to be a system whereby only those individuals who fully support the UK by paying all the tax due and transparently so should be allowed to stand for parliament. Democracy in action.

Samantha Camerons step father is a Lord Astor

Bound to be penn just like the expenses scandal, but this won't be tackled. Bet my new frock on it. Well there might be some scapegoat hounded but the rest will sit quietly by.

It is "official" theft really. I am not confident that it will change in the long run. It does seem that the more money you have the greedier you become.
It should be a cross party issue.. whilst most wealthy people are more likely to be Tory there will be some greedy bastards from across the political spectrum.

No tee but the difference is that there is now evidence rather than speculation. Let's hope HMRC show some guts, But will most likely find the Treasury sitting on their coat tails.

Well donewhitewave I'm with you but I would say I don't think any of this is a big surprise.