Danny Alexander vows 'ruthless pursuit' of those who don't pay their tax share

Published on Sunday 19 September 2010 19:00

THE government will launch an assault on tax evasion to bring £7 billion into the Exchequers coffers, Chief Treasury Secretary Danny Alexander has announced.

In the first ministerial announcement at a Lib Dem conference, Mr Alexander revealed that he and Tory Chancellor George Osborne had agreed a 900 million fund to tackle tax avoidance.

He told delegates the fund would tackle offshore funds, as well as those who fail to pay the 50p higher rate in income tax.

He promised a "ruthless pursuit" of those who fail to pay their fair share.

"There are some people who seem to believe that not paying their fair share of tax is a lifestyle choice that is socially acceptable," he said.

"Just like the benefit cheat, they take resources from those who need them most. Tax avoidance and evasion are unacceptable in the best of times, but in today's circumstances it is morally indefensible."

He pointed out that 7bn, which he hopes to raise in extra tax by 2015, is the equivalent of a million ordinary earners' contributions in income tax and National Insurance.

The announcement produced one of just two enthusiastic rounds of applause for the man who led the coalition talks from delegates still nervous about the deal.

The other was when he mentioned his daughter Islay, born days after the coalition agreement was signed.