A Good Giveaway


I was a bit taken aback by the following report in last week's Sunday Telegraph.

I don't understand why MPs should receive free tax advice from a firm of accountants.

Nor do I follow why it should be a defence for the Labour party - to say that the Conservatives and Lib Dems get up to the same tricks as well.

Free Tax Advice

"Nine serving and former members of Ed Miliband’s shadow cabinet have received free advice from Pricewaterhouse Coopers, the accounts firm that helps clients reduce their tax bill.

The list includes Ed Balls, the shadow chancellor, Chuka Umunna, the business secretary and Jim Murphy, the defence spokesman. The total cost of the services is estimated by The Sunday Telegraph to be £270,000.

The disclosures have led to concerns that PwC could also receive favourable treatment if the party returns to office at the next election - much of the organisation’s work comes via contracts awarded by central government.

The other members of the party using their services are Caroline Flint, the shadow energy secretary; Liam Byrne, the work and pensions spokesman; David Hanson, a shadow home office minister; Stephen Timms, shadow work and pensions spokesman; Angela Eagle, shadow leader of the Commons and John Denham, a former shadow cabinet member.

Labour MP John Mann criticised the arrangement and urged party members to examine their relationships closely. “If PwC were good citizens they would be doing this for all MPs.

“As it happens they are only helping people who have the potential to become ministers with the power to award highly-lucrative contracts. This firm clearly has a vested interest. The danger is that because a politician has an association with PwC they become the preferred supplier.”

Balls disclosed the help in the latest Register for Members’ Interests – the record published to avoid conflicts of interest among MPs.

He described the four-day-a-week help he received from PwC as being “the services of a research assistant/analyst to support me in my opposition front bench role.” It is thought that his arrangement alone is valued at nearly £60,000.

Labour defended their connection with the company, saying that it was common practice among Liberal Democrats and Conservatives too.

A spokesman said: “PwC have provided long standing support to all three major political parties. They are a highly respected global professional services firm who deal with many wide-ranging issues.”

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