Income shifting

I would like to respond to the letter from Richard Fleet on income shifting.

Mr Fleet says that he supports the proposed legislation on income shifting because he and his wife are both employees and not able to join the party. If Mr Fleet and his wife ever experience the stresses and strains of running their own business I think he would wish to reconsider his position.

However that is not the point I wish to make. Let us assume Mr Fleet is a highly-paid tax adviser; he tells us that his wife is training to be a barrister so she is likely to become a high earner. Suppose they decide to start a family.

They decide to share the responsibilities and both will work part time. Suppose each earns £40 000 working part time. The family income is £80 000 and no higher...