Treasury minister: paying cash in hand is 'morally wrong'

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Treasury minister David Gauke has said it is "morally wrong" to pay tradesmen in cash, in the hope of avoiding tax.

Government estimates put the amount of VAT and income tax revenue lost to the black economy each year at more than £2bn. Gauke told the BBC's Newsnight: "When a tradesman says: ‘Here's a 10%, a 20% discount on your bill if you pay me cash in hand' that is facilitating the hidden economy. "That's as big a problem in terms of loss to the Exchequer as tax avoidance. Revenue is not being paid as it should be paid." He added: "Getting a discount with your plumber by paying cash in hand is something that is a big cost to the revenue and means others have to pay more in tax. "I think i...

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