by Keith Richmond
CHANCELLOR of the Exchequer Alistair Darling should introduce new taxes on the wealthy and close existing tax loopholes in order to deliver a fair Budget.
That’s the view of centre-left pressure group Compass, which contends such moves would be extremely popular with voters.
A YouGov poll commissioned by the group shows that more than 70 per cent of people now support a tax crackdown on the rich.
“There is overwhelming public support for the Government to close in on personal tax avoidance which, it is estimated, loses the Exchequer up to £15 billion of public money each year”, said Gavin Hayes, general secretary of Compass.
He added: “The results reveal that 77 per cent indicated they agree that the Government should do everything it can to close this £15 billion gap lost through personal tax avoidance.”
The poll also shows that:
- 71 per cent support a new wealth tax on earnings above £250,000.
- 61 per cent want the government to break its 2005 manifesto commitment not to increase income tax and to immediately introduce a new top rate of tax for all those earning more than £100,000 a year.
- 52 per cent back a new tax on all bonuses above £1,000.
Compass is calling for “greater tax fairness” in this year’s Budget. Mr Hayes said: “With the financial crisis and public borrowing rising fast these poll results pile even more pressure on the Chancellor and Prime Minister to ensure the Government delivers greater tax fairness and that any necessary tax increases are imposed on the very wealthy.
“There can be no turning back to the pre-crash tax system. This poll vindicates what we thought all along, that delivering greater tax justice is both radical and popular.”
Jon Cruddas, Labour MP for Dagenham, said: “The public outrage over the economic downturn, coupled with the outcry over the excesses, unchecked wealth and risky behaviour of those at the top that caused the financial crisis, has shown that we can no longer afford a pre-crash tax system that rewards a powerful elite at the top.
“This poll has demonstrated that policies to ensure the very wealthy pay their fair share resonate across the political spectrum and is the new common sense of our time.”
