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John McDonnell publishes tax return and challenges chancellor John McDonnell publishes tax return and challenges chancellor
(about 1 hour later)
Labour’s John McDonnell has challenged George Osborne to be “open and transparent” about his personal income, as the shadow chancellor published his tax return.Labour’s John McDonnell has challenged George Osborne to be “open and transparent” about his personal income, as the shadow chancellor published his tax return.
Details of McDonnell’s earnings and tax, which amounted to £61,575 and £14,253 respectively, were published on his website on Sunday.Details of McDonnell’s earnings and tax, which amounted to £61,575 and £14,253 respectively, were published on his website on Sunday.
The disclosure follows the government’s agreement with Google to see the tech firm pay £130m in back taxes covering the past decade.The disclosure follows the government’s agreement with Google to see the tech firm pay £130m in back taxes covering the past decade.
The chancellor has insisted the deal is a “major success”, despite disquiet among members of his own party.The chancellor has insisted the deal is a “major success”, despite disquiet among members of his own party.
The shadow chancellor said taxpayers filling in their returns, due by midnight on Sunday, would be “feeling angry” and the deal had “created a lack of confidence” in the tax system.The shadow chancellor said taxpayers filling in their returns, due by midnight on Sunday, would be “feeling angry” and the deal had “created a lack of confidence” in the tax system.
Related: Cameron defends Google tax deal in Commons clash with CorbynRelated: Cameron defends Google tax deal in Commons clash with Corbyn
Earlier this week, a spokesman for Jeremy Corbyn confirmed the Labour leader also planned to publish his return – a move that David Cameron vowed to echo.Earlier this week, a spokesman for Jeremy Corbyn confirmed the Labour leader also planned to publish his return – a move that David Cameron vowed to echo.
Writing in the Sunday Mirror, McDonnell said: “After this week it has only confirmed a belief I have long held. The chancellor, the politician with sole responsibility for setting taxation, should be open and transparent about their own income. McDonnell said: “I published my full tax return today as I believe if you aspire to be in charge of the nation’s finances then you should be as open and transparent about your own income as possible.
“That is why in the spirit of the ‘new politics’ I have taken the decision to publish my personal tax returns. And I will do so every year while I seek to be, and will hopefully one day become, chancellor. “Hopefully it will encourage George Osborne to release the details of his Google tax deal.”
“I think it is only fair that politicians set a good example. Especially those charged with or those who aspire to oversee the nations finances.”
The controversial Google deal with HM Revenue and Customs could be investigated by the European commission following complaints from the Scottish National party and Labour.The controversial Google deal with HM Revenue and Customs could be investigated by the European commission following complaints from the Scottish National party and Labour.
Google’s vice-president of communications and public affairs, Peter Barron, insisted the company paid UK corporation taxes at the standard rate of 20%.Google’s vice-president of communications and public affairs, Peter Barron, insisted the company paid UK corporation taxes at the standard rate of 20%.