Is underpaying tax as bad as theft? Britain’s deputy prime minister has resigned over the stamp duty on her seaside flat. Some think her downfall should alert us to the true cost of tax avoidance.
Money, mayhem and a resignation
A Rayn on her parade: Angela Rayner became a mother at the age of only 16, before going on to become one of the UK's top politicians. Comprehension quiz
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The word “resignation” most nearly means:
A: The act of being hired for a new job
B: The act of formally giving up a job or position
C: The act of taking a holiday from work
D: The act of getting a promotion
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Which word is the closest synonym for “complex”?
A: Simple
B: Easy
C: Obvious
D: Complicated
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Add the correct punctuation to the sentence below:
one x user called rayner a common thief
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Why did Angela Rayner have to resign from her job as deputy prime minister?
A: Because she bought a second home
B: Because she went on a long holiday
C: Because she was found to have broken the ministerial code by not paying enough tax
D: Because she had an argument with the prime minister
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According to the campaign group Tax Justice UK, how much money is the country missing in unpaid tax?
A: £40,000
B: £70,000
C: £40
D: At least £40bn
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Give one reason from the article why some people argue that accidentally underpaying tax is not the same as theft.
Answers
Tap to reveal
1. B 2. D 3. One X user called Rayner a “common thief”. 4. C 5. D 6. Any one of the following: A theft is almost always on purpose, whereas many tax issues are accidental; tax rules can be so complex it is easy to make a mistake; tax avoiders still tend to pay some tax (whereas a thief pays nothing).
1. B 2. D 3. One X user called Rayner a “common thief”. 4. C 5. D 6. Any one of the following: A theft is almost always on purpose, whereas many tax issues are accidental; tax rules can be so complex it is easy to make a mistake; tax avoiders still tend to pay some tax (whereas a thief pays nothing).