For many people tax is like a rash

I WAS really pleased last week when I received a letter from HMRC informing me that my tax form was outstanding, until I realised I hadn’t sent one in.

It was followed by a laconic “Call us”. Financial management was never a strong point with me – I always thought Excel on my computer was a chewing gum update.

So what’s going on in taxland? Is that nice man, former chancellor and chair of the Conservative Party, now sacked by Richy Rishi for breaking the Ministerial Code, a tax avoider, tax evader or just a careless nice man in an annoying little dispute with those horrid tax people?

There is the little problem of the alleged penalty which in football at least is normally given when an offence has taken place, but then in taxland there is no VAR to give a second opinion.

The man in question, Nadhim Zahawi, is believed to be one of the wealthiest politicians in Westminster with his hoard reported to be anything between £30m and £100m.

This was surely a man dependent on public services who can easily empathise with the common person.

For many people tax is like a rash which increases in irritation around this time of year and is really only for mugs.

It is seen in negative terms especially by those who make money out of money and property and whose needs are met by the private sector. Indeed, to talk about tax in a positive manner is to invite strange looks.

Yet I want a just tax system which redistributes wealth to protect the vulnerable, provides all families with quality health care and education and provides all the essential public services with public sector employees paid a fair wage.

In Wales we have a tax devolution which could be used to explore a progressive tax system which might mean the raising of the basic rate, which some Welsh politicians have suggested.

Someone once said that “Taxes are the price we pay for civilization”. Public services are an integral part of the latter and need a swift positive intervention.