HMRC expect the new taskforces they have launched to recover over £30m from tax dodgers.

The latest round of taskforces to be announced will target traders who do not pay the right amount of tax in:

• Scottish pubs and nightclubs
• hair and beauty businesses in Northern Ireland
• the motor trade in South Wales, South West, Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and the North East
• restaurants in South Wales and South West.

The taskforces are specialist teams that undertake intensive bursts of activity in specific high risk trade sectors and locations in the UK. The teams will visit traders to examine their records and carry out other investigations.

The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke, said:

'At a time when we are trying to rebalance the public finances and most hard-working people are making a contribution by paying the right tax, it is just not fair that a small minority try to dodge their responsibilities.'

'These new taskforces are funded by the Government's investment in HMRC of over £900m to crack down on avoidance and evasion. Their dedicated teams are on track to collect more than £50m from tax avoiders and evaders through the taskforces launched last year and expect to collect £30m in unpaid taxes through those launched today.'

Internet link: Press release