Loan Charge

Chris Stephens Excerpts
Thursday 18th January 2024

(3 months, 3 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Sammy Wilson Portrait Sammy Wilson
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When I read the letter that the Minister sent to the joint chairs of the all-party group, he started by once again reminding us that

“As you are aware, disguised remuneration schemes are contrived tax avoidance arrangements that seek to avoid Income Tax and National Insurance contributions”.

It is almost like a warning: “Don’t be taking up these cases, because these are bad people that you are talking about.” That is exactly parallel to what we found with the Horizon scandal.

Chris Stephens Portrait Chris Stephens (Glasgow South West) (SNP)
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I agree with how the right hon. Gentleman has introduced the debate. He mentioned the scale of how HMRC is going after people caught up with the loan charge. Is that not in stark contrast with how multinational companies are entering into sweetheart deals with HMRC, such as Google and Vodafone?

Sammy Wilson Portrait Sammy Wilson
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Indeed, it is, and I will come to the issue of HMRC chasing the individuals, rather than the promoters.