Jaimie Kaffash

Tax Hack

A blog by Jaimie Kaffash, Accountancy Age’s tax reporter

ad

Cameron's Liechtenstein gaffe

03 Nov 2011 Jaimie Kaffash

  • Digg
  • Tweet
david-cameron-4

WATCHING Prime Minister's Questions yesterday, there was a strong tax element - discussions about the financial transaction tax, the bank levy and benefits to SMEs.

David Cameron was, fairly enough, asking Ed Miliband what Labour's growth strategy involved. The prime minister launched into a list of this government's actions: the bank levy, the lower bank bonuses, the higher fees on non-doms and the agreements with Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Hold on a minute, I thought. The Swiss agreement might have its seeds in the Labour government, but it is fair enough for the Conservatives (and lest we forget the LibDems) to claim credit.

But Liechtenstein? The Liechtenstein Disclosure Facility was brought into being in 2009 and signed by a Labour minister - Stephen Timms. This was not an initiative by this government.

Cameron's researchers have made a gaffe here, but it does highlight the success of the LDF. It has brought in the revenue and the next set of figures to be released - the first ones since the announcement of the Swiss deal - will be fascinating. It is likely to be the flood that follows the hitherto satisfying drip of disclosures.

Ownership of the LDF is highly desirable. Probably best for our prime minister not to steal it, however.

Adding your comment

We won't publish your address

simple_captcha.jpg
(Type the code from the image.)
Note that your comment may be edited or removed in the future, and that
your comment may appear alongside the original article on websites other
than this one.

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms & Conditions

Your comment will be moderated before publication

Submit

Browse posts by date

Cal_navigation_previousDecember 2011Cal_navigation_next
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
       
1234
       
567891011
       
131415161718
       
192022232425
       
262728293031

Newsletters

Get the latest financial news sent directly to your inbox

  • Best Practice
  • Business
  • Daily Newsletter
  • Essentials