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David Cameron renews pledge to publish senior ministers' tax affairs David Cameron renews pledge to publish senior ministers' tax affairs
(6 months later)
David Cameron remains relaxed about the publication of ministers' tax affairs, but appears to have done nothing to bring this about since he declared a year ago that he was happy for details to be published.David Cameron remains relaxed about the publication of ministers' tax affairs, but appears to have done nothing to bring this about since he declared a year ago that he was happy for details to be published.
The issue has been been raised again in the light of President François Hollande's move to require ministers in France to publish details of their wealth after a scandal.The issue has been been raised again in the light of President François Hollande's move to require ministers in France to publish details of their wealth after a scandal.
The French ministers were due to publish details on Monday after Hollande effectively gave them a week to gather the information. He acted after tax fraud charges were laid against the former budget minister Jérôme Cahuzac, the man charged with fighting tax evasion. Cahuzac admitted having a secret Swiss bank account. Some cabinet ministers have already made public their extraordinary personal wealth.The French ministers were due to publish details on Monday after Hollande effectively gave them a week to gather the information. He acted after tax fraud charges were laid against the former budget minister Jérôme Cahuzac, the man charged with fighting tax evasion. Cahuzac admitted having a secret Swiss bank account. Some cabinet ministers have already made public their extraordinary personal wealth.
The prime minister's spokesman said Cameron's position on the issue remained unchanged. No 10 also suggested work was under way in the Cabinet Office on how details could be published.The prime minister's spokesman said Cameron's position on the issue remained unchanged. No 10 also suggested work was under way in the Cabinet Office on how details could be published.
Asked whether Cameron would be following Hollande's example, the spokesman said: "The prime minister's view on whether he would be content to publish his arrangements and those of other ministers is that he would be relaxed about that.Asked whether Cameron would be following Hollande's example, the spokesman said: "The prime minister's view on whether he would be content to publish his arrangements and those of other ministers is that he would be relaxed about that.
"His view is unchanged. He would be relaxed about doing so.""His view is unchanged. He would be relaxed about doing so."
Cameron first said he was relaxed about publishing details of tax affairs when Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson published their tax returns during the London mayoral election .Cameron first said he was relaxed about publishing details of tax affairs when Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson published their tax returns during the London mayoral election .
As the controversy rumbled on last spring, Cameron's aides said he would look at publishing his returns and those of the foreign secretary, William Hague, the chancellor, George Osborne, and the deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg.As the controversy rumbled on last spring, Cameron's aides said he would look at publishing his returns and those of the foreign secretary, William Hague, the chancellor, George Osborne, and the deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg.
It had originally been suggested that all cabinet ministers would be required to publish, but a backlash from middle-ranking cabinet ministers ensued.It had originally been suggested that all cabinet ministers would be required to publish, but a backlash from middle-ranking cabinet ministers ensued.
Last April, Osborne told the Daily Telegraph: "My own personal principle has been, make the rules in general more transparent. And, of course, comply with those rules.Last April, Osborne told the Daily Telegraph: "My own personal principle has been, make the rules in general more transparent. And, of course, comply with those rules.
"We are very happy to consider publishing tax returns for people seeking the highest offices in the land. Of course, they do it in America.""We are very happy to consider publishing tax returns for people seeking the highest offices in the land. Of course, they do it in America."
Osborne added that he would welcome greater transparency.Osborne added that he would welcome greater transparency.
He said: "The Conservative party has been at the forefront of transparency, we are far more transparent about the way government operates.He said: "The Conservative party has been at the forefront of transparency, we are far more transparent about the way government operates.
"When it comes to publishing tax returns … personally, I don't set my face against it. But we have to think through the issues. You have to think through the advantages and disadvantages."When it comes to publishing tax returns … personally, I don't set my face against it. But we have to think through the issues. You have to think through the advantages and disadvantages.
"We have got to think through the issue of taxpayer confidentiality, which is a very important principle in Britain.""We have got to think through the issue of taxpayer confidentiality, which is a very important principle in Britain."
Downing Street later briefed that the four most senior minisers would publish their tax returns.Downing Street later briefed that the four most senior minisers would publish their tax returns.
Osborne said last April he had not been a 50p taxpayer in the last tax year.Osborne said last April he had not been a 50p taxpayer in the last tax year.
He said: "On the last tax return that I filled in [covering the 2010-11 tax year], I  was not a 50p taxpayer … And, no doubt, next time I fill in a tax return, I will be asked the question, and will give you a straightforward answer then."He said: "On the last tax return that I filled in [covering the 2010-11 tax year], I  was not a 50p taxpayer … And, no doubt, next time I fill in a tax return, I will be asked the question, and will give you a straightforward answer then."
Asked on three further occasions whether his present income would attract tax at the highest rate, he repeated: "I will answer the question as and when I fill in my tax return."Asked on three further occasions whether his present income would attract tax at the highest rate, he repeated: "I will answer the question as and when I fill in my tax return."
Osborne did not pay the higher rate of income tax in 2010-11 because he earned no more than a ministerial and MP's salary, of £134,565. The top rate applies to earnings over £150,000. From July 2011, during the financial year 2011-12 – for which income has to be declared by 31 January 2013 – Osborne received income on top of his salaries after he started renting out his London house.Osborne did not pay the higher rate of income tax in 2010-11 because he earned no more than a ministerial and MP's salary, of £134,565. The top rate applies to earnings over £150,000. From July 2011, during the financial year 2011-12 – for which income has to be declared by 31 January 2013 – Osborne received income on top of his salaries after he started renting out his London house.
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