Tax evasion total lost revealed by Sheffield MP

A Sheffield MP has revealed how much was lost to tax evasion and avoidance in one year.

Paul Blomfield spoke in Parliament about how £7.2 billion was lost to the practices in 2012-2013 – £2 billion more than was spent on Jobseekers’ Allowance, according to figures from the House of Commons Library.~

Mr Blomfield told MPs a young man in his Sheffield Central constituency had had his benefits sanctioned by the Government, but it was failing to chase wealthy people who avoid tax.

He said: “Doesn’t the contrast between their persecution of the most vulnerable and failure on tax avoidance say everything about the Government’s priorities?”