Paradise Papers

Like you say, at least he is trying to do something now. He wasn't the one who said he was relaxed about the filthy rich.

Have you signed?

Well done Gordon, pity you didn't do more to stop them when you were Chancellor and made the tax system even more complicated.

But - better late than never.

The Daily Mail is registered as having its headquarters in Bermuda.
I wonder if the building is still there.

Over 300,000 signatures already.

secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/paradise_papers_loc/?ckHcnjb

A petition which Gordon Brown will deliver if it reaches a million signatures to stop tax havens now.

www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2017/11/08/isas-are-not-tax-avoidance/

Not sure what you mean jura but if it’s about shoving money overseas by the councils - they absolutely can’t do it with the precept, or rates.

They only invest stuff like pension funds etc.

skwawkbox.org/2017/11/08/williamson-takes-it-to-tax-avoiders-in-latest-video/

Well, you have not given evidence. BUT, even so - there would be a huge difference. Councils would do so in order to provide for schools and all local services for the benefit of all.

What about councils doing it then?

www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2017/11/08/the-case-against-subsidising-the-isle-of-man-to-be-a-tax-haven-goes-to-the-house-of-commons/

I really do not see how anyone can justify rich people defrauding the population of tax, whatever sort of tax.
Those who do I suggest are as devoid of morals as those who commit the tax dodging in the first place.

Of course they are in denial, as it reflects badly on them.

www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2017/11/08/the-uk-loses-20-of-total-corporate-profits-to-tax-havens-but-hmrc-are-in-denial-about-the-missing-7-billion/

That was Iceland the country

These purchases are largely for the pension fund.

I know of one very large council who invested a large amount of their pension fund into Iceland. They lost a huge amount in the crash!

So avoided stamp duties,

Yes, the councils bought malls, and other properties.

jura councils only pay tax on their business activities. Most of what they do is done by dint of the precept.

Who was cherry picking?

They certainly should pay stamp duty when purchasing property!

But do Councils pay tax?

And I'd totally agree with tham Lemongrove.

I read today that two large Labour Councils have money invested in off shore accounts to save paying tax / stamp duties ( about £12 million) and there are sure to be other Councils up and down the land doing the same.
It’s legal.
We can’t be cherry picking who is bad and who is good when it comes to legal tax avoidance.
If the rules need changing, they need changing for all.

Remember the days when Business owners provided for their workers, schools, infirmaries, houses with gardens - etc. It was accepted that 'bosses' would earn more than good living- but that they had responsibility for their workers and families. Most of us were happy to see the back of 'paternalism' - but sometimes I do wonder.