No safe havens for offshore tax cheats

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) confirmed today that it is working with the United States and Australian tax administrations (the IRS and ATO) on data which reveals extensive use of complex offshore structures to conceal assets by wealthy individuals and companies.

The 400 gigabytes of data is still being analysed but early results show the use of companies and trusts in a number of territories around the world including Singapore, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, and the Cook Islands. The data also exposes information that may be shared with other tax administrations as part of the global fight against tax evasion.

So far HMRC has identified over 100 people who benefit from these structures and a number of those individuals had already been identified and are under investigation for offshore tax evasion. They have also identified more than 200 UK accountants, lawyers and other professional advisors who advise on setting up these structures who will also be scrutinised. UK residents who use these offshore structures should review their taxation arrangements, and seek advice if necessary, to ensure they are compliant with UK tax law. HMRC encourages voluntary compliance and early disclosure of tax irregularities. Failure to do so may result in a criminal prosecution or significant financial penalties and the possibility of their identity being published.

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said:- "The message is simple: if you evade tax, we're coming after you. The Government has invested hundreds of millions of pounds to fund the fight against tax evasion, both at home and abroad. This data is another weapon in HMRC's arsenal. Ahead of the UK's presidency of the G8 this year, the Prime Minister has made it a key priority to drive an international effort to increase transparency and clamp down on tax avoidance and evasion. By working with our international partners in this way, we are again demonstrating our commitment to this work."

Jennie Granger, HMRC Commissioner and Director General for Enforcement and Compliance said:- "Working with the international tax community to pursue offshore evasion is another important step in closing the net on tax evasion.

There is nothing illegal about an international structure, especially in a globally integrated economy and these arrangements may be perfectly legitimate and may already have been declared to HMRC. However they may involve tax evasion, avoidance or other serious offences by taxpayers. What has to stop is using offshore structures to illegally hide assets and income".

Adult learners earn awards

ADULT learners who have been nominated for national awards are to be presented with certificates at a special ceremony.  The event is part of Adult Learners' Week which celebrates of the benefits of lifelong learning and focuses on the many types of learning available to adults from all walks of life.  It will take place at the World Museum on Friday 24 May

14 Learners from Merseyside who have been nominated for awards from the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) will receive certificates. There will also be presentations to four projects (information below).

A further 21 learners the City Council's and Unison schools project which brings training to school support staff and parents via Archbishop Beck and St Cecelia's primary schools adult learning service will also receive certificates along with 11 other learners from the adult learning services who have achieved level five in numeracy or literacy

The event will also involve more than 40 learning providers who will hold a learning market place with information stalls and workshops, followed by walks and tours of the City.

Councillor Nick Small, City Council cabinet member for employment, enterprise and skills, who will present the certificates, said:- "You are never too old to learn. It should be a lifelong process and we want to encourage adults to engage in learning of all kinds. We also want to recognise those organisations who provide the opportunity for adults to engage in learning and develop new skills."

The event is open to the public between 10am and 4pm. It has being led by unionlearn , Merseytravel and the Adult Learning Week NW Regional Consortium, who are deliverers for NIACE.

Detectives appeal after 25 year old has cheekbone fractured in Liverpool to Newton le Willows train assault

DETECTIVES from the British Transport Police are appealing for information after a man suffered a fractured jaw during an assault on board a train in Liverpool.

The incident happened shortly after 8pm on Sunday, 5 May 2013, the same day as the Merseyside derby; as a group of young men travelled from Liverpool Lime Street towards Newton-le-Willows.

A second group of older men boarded the train at Lime Street and immediately became aggressive to the younger men.

DC Mark Douglas said:- "The older group challenged the younger men who were singing football-related songs. The men stopped singing, but the aggressors continued to cause problems and punched one the younger men; a 25 year old; in the face, causing a double fracture of the cheekbone. As the train pulled into Broadgreen the older group became even more aggressive and threw the younger men off the train. The 25 year old victim was treated as hospital for his injuries and will need reconstructive surgery on his cheekbone. Following the incident the older men got back onto the train, possibly travelling to either St Helens or Newton-le-Willows. We have conducted a number of enquiries and are now appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward."

If you have any information which might assist the investigation, please call British Transport Police on:- 0800 40 50 40 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on:- 0800 555 111. In all calls please quote log:- B11/NWA of 20/05/13.