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We investigate the real-world impact of the UK tax and legal system, expose avoidance and abuse, and propose practical reforms.

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Ten better tax cuts than Reform’s £14bn overtime gimmick
Reform UK's overtime cut is bottom of the list of tax cuts, in "bang for the buck" terms
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UK has 90 taxes. Here they The UK has 90 taxes. Here they all are – Tax Policy Associates Venables prosecution The Venables prosecution – Tax Policy Associates Why Britain has more taxes than Why Britain has more taxes than at any time since 1834 Why UK taxes are rising, but Why UK taxes are rising, but public services will get worse. Robert Venables KC is being prosecuted Robert Venables KC is being prosecuted for tax evasion
A History of Tax
May 29, 2026 Analysis

Why does Britain have more taxes than at any time since 1834?

Tax in the UK is the highest it’s been since 1945. That’s well understood – but another trend has been largely missed: the number of taxes in the UK is at its highest since the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Back then, the Government was fighting France and building the modern state. Afterwards, and over […]
The structure allegedly used by Robert Venables, KC
May 29, 2026 Analysis

The Venables prosecution

As we reported last year, Robert Venables KC is being prosecuted for tax evasion in respect of his own tax planning arrangements. This is the prosecution’s opening note. It includes details of Mr Venables’ tax arrangements, how HMRC started to investigate those arrangements in 2019, and how that became a criminal prosecution. Court blogger Mouse […]
A Jenga tower
May 28, 2026 Analysis

90 UK taxes. On one chart.

The UK has 90 taxes. This chart shows them all, and this article explains why we have so many. Update 29 May 2026: the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury responded to this article by pointing out that the Government had just abolished bingo duty, folded diverted profits tax into corporation tax, and ended the pseudo-tax […]
Photo of Nigel Farage in the House of Commons
May 20, 2026 Investigations

Nigel Farage probably doesn’t owe tax on his £5m gift

Christopher Harborne, a British-Thai billionaire, gave Nigel Farage £5m in 2024. Genuine gifts are usually tax-free. However, Mr Farage has recently described the £5m as a “reward” for campaigning for Brexit. That raises some complex tax issues, and HMRC may investigate the circumstances of the payment. But, on the facts currently available, our conclusion is […]
Iain Stamp claiming to have made $600m of fraudulent US tax refund claims
May 17, 2026 Investigations

The British fugitive, his $600m US tax fraud, and its 3,000 victims

Iain Clifford Stamp told his followers the IRS owed them millions. Not because they had paid US tax, or because they had US investments. But because they had once signed mortgages, loans and credit-card agreements here in the UK. Stamp says his organisation filed claims for 3,000 people, worth $600 million. The IRS froze the […]
Angela Rayner
May 14, 2026 Analysis

Why did HMRC not charge Angela Rayner a penalty?

UPDATED 5pm: We have now spoken to Graham Aaronson KC, who advised Angela Rayner. He says that HMRC’s decision is explained by facts not apparent from Sir Laurie Magnus’s report. We have reflected his account below. But Ms Rayner’s team is not releasing the underlying documents, and we cannot accept the word of one party […]
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