HMRC AND TAX AVOIDANCE AND EVASION

That this House notes that the Government estimates that the amount of tax which is due but not paid (the tax gap) in the UK is around 42 billion per annum; recognises that following the spending review HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will be expected to deliver savings of over 1 billion by 2014-15; believes that this will significantly impact on the performance of HMRC and its ability to tackle tax avoidance and evasion; supports the Association of Revenue and Customs, the trade union representing senior managers and professionals at HMRC, in calling for investment of 260 million in HMRC over the next four years to reduce the tax gap by around 6 billion; and therefore urges the Government to invest further in HMRC to reduce the tax gap as a way of supporting the recovery of the UK economy.