INDIRECT TAX LOSSES

That this House notes the report, Measuring Indirect Tax Losses - 2007, published by HM Revenue and Customs in October 2007 which records that in the year 2006-07 VAT revenue losses were £12.8 billion, and that the average VAT losses for the last six years were almost £12 billion; notes further that the report's upper estimate of losses from tobacco smuggling average over £3.5 billion over the five years to 2005-06; believes that these revenues should be collected for beneficial public spending purposes; is aware that each additional tax inspector collects several times their own salary each year; and therefore urges the Government to expand the complement of the tax inspectorate and substantially to increase the amount of VAT and duties collected.