Chancellor in £5bn tax raid on Britons' Swiss accounts

Laura Miller
clock •

The Chancellor has launched a £5bn tax raid on Britons keeping money in Swiss bank accounts, who he has labelled as bad as benefits cheats.

George Osborne announced an agreement with the Swiss authorities to attempt to recover tax on an estimated £125bn kept in the famously discreet banking system. Announcing the deal, Mr Osborne launched a strong attack on wealthy tax evaders, likening them to benefits cheats. Telegraph MORE Chancellor George Osborne will meet European finance ministers today to discuss the details of a possible bail-out of Portugal, amid fears that British tax-payers will have to find more than £4 billion as part of a rescue package. Telegraph MORE The US budget watchdog has cut the country's debt fo...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Economics / Markets

Fahad Hassan: When good news becomes an inflation problem

Fahad Hassan: When good news becomes an inflation problem

'Markets have been adjusting to the risks through valuations all year'

Fahad Hassan
clock 29 September 2026 • 6 min read
Healey promises 'new age of industrialisation' ahead of Budget

Healey promises 'new age of industrialisation' ahead of Budget

Keeps quiet on personal taxation, pensions or savings at Labour’s conference

Isabel Baxter
clock 28 September 2026 • 2 min read
MPs warn policymakers to stop using OBR as scapegoat for tough fiscal decisions

MPs warn policymakers to stop using OBR as scapegoat for tough fiscal decisions

Treasury Committee report

Jack Roach
clock 23 September 2026 • 2 min read