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Simplification doubts

In “Nothing is ever simple” (Taxation 19 November 2015) Philip Fisher makes several comments that are very political and with which I disagree strongly. The statement that without our tax regime “there would be no health service no army poor people would be dying in the street” is wrong. People had access to health care and poor people were given financial (and other) support before the NHS and the welfare state.

Nor do I agree that “the desire of taxpayers to avoid paying their share” causes excessive legislation and complications. Many factors contribute to this such as the desire of politicians to raise as much money as possible without people complaining. Further much tax law is poorly written or badly thought out and does not achieve its aim. If the overall tax burden and rates were lower most people would not...