Commenting on the TUC report on tax, which was based on a survey conducted by YouGov, CBI Deputy Director-General, John Cridland argued that, far from shirking their tax obligations, businesses are actually shouldering a major share of the burden.

“Last year, the amount UK businesses paid in tax ran to almost GBP150bn - equivalent to the NHS budget one and a half times over and twice the education budget. Since new taxes were introduced in this year’s Budget, firms are paying an additional GBP4 billion. So, let’s dispel the notion once and for all that business is ‘getting out of’ paying its way on tax," he said.

“Recent research showed 92% of any increase in corporation tax is passed onto workers in lower wages and hits the economy through less investment and reduced productivity. There’s no point in pretending we don’t all feel the impact of higher business tax," Mr Cridland observed, going on to add:

“What’s more, with businesses becoming increasingly mobile there’s a real risk that firms will simply vote with their feet if they see the UK becoming any less competitive – costing more jobs and hurting the economy at a time when it doesn’t need it."

“As a nation, we can choose whether or not we welcome high earners who generate wealth, make investments and create jobs. In a global economy, they too can vote with their feet," he concluded.

According to the TUC/YouGov survey, three quarters of those polled thought that "it is too easy for very rich people to get out of paying a fair level of tax." Also, seven out of ten respondents said that it is "too easy for big companies to get out of paying a fair level of tax", and nearly six out of ten (57%) reportedly disagreed with the view that the Government is right to reduce tax on the profits of large companies.

"An astonishingly large majority of people think the tax system is unfair and that it is too easy for big companies and the well-off to get out of paying fair taxes. The public knows that every pound the rich do not pay has to be made up by ordinary peoples' taxes or by cuts in public services," argued TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber.

"Creating a fairer tax system does not mean a higher tax bill for ordinary workers. Instead, clamping down on tax avoidance and closing the loopholes enjoyed by the super-rich will put extra revenue into ordinary peoples' pockets or pay for our hard-pressed public services," Barber added.

"The millions of voters who are feeling the pinch from rising prices and mounting bills will welcome a Government stand for tax justice," he finished.