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 Mark McLaughlin wonders if HMRC's publicity campaign in pursuit of tax evaders is working.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) recently published an updated "rogues' gallery" of its most wanted tax criminal fugitives (HMRC's Most Wanted: Gallery of Tax Fugitives Published as Another Caught). A further ten tax fugitives have been added to the original list of 20 individuals first published a year ago.

The updated list has made national news headlines. Unfortunately, the publicity was not altogether positive, with reports indicating that the vast majority of the original fugitives are still at large. In fact, HMRC's own publicity admits that only two of the 30 individuals have been captured, despite the gallery's having been viewed over 1.5 million times, and in spite of new intelligence being received from the public on the current whereabouts of 17 of the 20 named on the original list. 

Most of us will be used to seeing rogues' galleries such as on television programmes like 'Crimewatch UK'. There is absolutely no reason why tax fugitives should be treated any differently than other criminals.

The only concern I have about the latest publicity is that tax crime may be receiving excessive levels of exposure, after being filtered down by HMRC through the general media to the public. I cannot remember tax evasion receiving more attention than in recent times. Will a saturation point be reached, beyond which the publicity starts to lose its impact?

The Government's clampdown on tax evasion has started to yield positive financial results. To that extent, the latest media publicity is appropriate and justified. However, I hope that future campaigns and publicity about tax criminals will be measured and proportionate. Otherwise, news about tax fugitives may cease to be news at all, and the positive impetus could evaporate.    

Best wishes,

Mark McLaughlin 

Managing Editor