The UK tax system is successfully redistributing wealth from the rich to the poor according to Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Figures released by the ONS showed that top-earning households earned £68,700 a year on average in 2005/2006, while the lowest tier brought 16 times less a year with earnings of £4,230.

After taxes had been levied, however, the gap narrowed with the tip strata earning £49,300 and the lowest group taking in £13,500.

Critics, however, said that under Gordon Brown the tax system had become unfair.

According to the FT the Taxpayer's Alliance said the ONS numbers revealed that poor homes were paying a higher proportion of their income in tax than poorer homes.

Further reading:

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Brown under fire over CBI tax credit claim

HMRC slammed over tax credits bungle