Abstract

A collection of essays by leading economists on how different tax regimes affect the overall prosperity of a country. The UK faces shrinking tax revenues and additional public spending demands, while taxpayers, jobs and investment can move to lower cost economies. The authors in this book argue these problems can be surmounted, if the tax system reflects supply and demand, as well as responding to social, cultural and political pressures. Taxes that penalise incentive and hold back economic growth should be avoided, as should those which deter saving and investment, and those which are too complex. Within this framework, it is possible to respond to added pressures to expand public services or for more spending on benefits.