Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Government's crackdown on tax dodging will bring in £4bn this year, Danny Alexander, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, will announce today. He will tell the Liberal Democrat conference that HMRC's 200-strong "Affluence Unit" is on course to double the £2bn it raised last year and increase the figure to £7bn by 2015.
Mr Alexander welcomed yesterday's disclosure in The Independent that many of Britain's most wealthy people do not seek to avoid paying tax. "We are not saying that all of the super-rich are tax dodgers," said a Treasury source.
But the Treasury minister will reassure Liberal Democrat delegates: "Fair taxes in tough times mean everyone playing by the same rule book. We have this message to the small minority of wealthy people who don't play by the rules: we are coming to get you and you will pay your fair share."
Mr Alexander, who will expand the Affluence Unit to a 300-strong body, will promise a new crackdown on people who hide their assets offshore. A 2009 agreement with Liechtenstein, allowing British people with assets there to bring their tax affairs up to date, was expected to raise £1bn. But the HMRC team working on this project will be doubled and could now net £3bn.
George Osborne's deputy will argue the Government must stick to its economic Plan A but say its deficit-reduction strategy is more flexible than it is given credit for. "There could not be a worse time to argue that we should abandon our plan," he will tell the party.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments