Is this extending the tax avoidance effort too far?

Several papers, including the Mail, are carrying reports of the comments by Tory treasury minister, David Gauke that paying cleaners and tradesmen cash-in-hand is “morally wrong”

He said: ‘Getting a discount with your plumber by paying cash in hand is something that is a big cost to the Revenue and means others must pay more in tax.’ Asked explicitly if he disapproves of the practice, he said: ‘Yes, I think it’s morally wrong.’

The challenge here is the practice this so widespread touching millions of people for whom the notion of paying in cash is a way of keeping their costs down.

The big news today will be the announcement at 11am on whether there are going to be charges in the phone hacking case. If there are then posters must be ultra-careful about what they write and potentially offending contribution will be deleted.

Mike Smithson @MSmithsonPB