first the non-doms, now this? when will they learn? London is the center of international business and these firms employ tens of thousands of people (who earn good wages and therefore pay high tax). why would you chase them away? it is like biting the hand that feeds you.

Alex, London, England

The trouble with tax and spend is the first part. Every time someone discusses another juicy state benefit they should be required to say how much it costs. That especially applies to the BBC. We have been loading up our economy with costs. Labour is now desperate to find ways to finance them.

Colin, shrewsbury,

Why not just go for 'Flat Tax'. A simple rate say 15% right across the board. There would be no loopholes, and no where to hide.

Steve, Solihull, UK

Bob - London. Hong Kong manages with a flat tax rate of 15% for all. That is fair. I disagree that a higher tax in persentage terms should be paid by thiose that earn more. A flat rate is best - Hong kong has very few tax avoiders and by charging less collects more per head than the U.K.

M Jeffs, Bucks, UK

It seems that the more you earn in this country the more you can dictate tax policy in this country! This is totally wrong. Companies and directors pay very little of their overall earnings in tax. If they leave there will always be others who will take there place.

Phil, Bradford, W Yorks

Bring back Prescott........

ronnie, bucks, UK

I think all these years of uninterrupted economic growth have gone to the heads of New Labour and some of the readers providing comments here. Let's see who will pay for public services when these large corporations pack their bags and leave.

George, London, UK

Exactly what we want, the powerhouse tax payers to be voluntarily placed into exile, then the general public receive even more of the tax burden. Eventually those that vote Labour will reap their rewards, I look forward to my retirement elsewhere, even France, as long as I am not paying to work.

David D'Rozario, Doncaster, UK

Companies based here should be welcomed but companies taking employment abroad like call centres should be heavily taxed if they wish to remain based here in UK

Robert, Glasgow, Scotland

Everyone seems to forget about small business. The smaller business person survives on cash-flow and credit. If the economy slows many viable small companies will fail simply because of late invoice payment!

Costas, Cyprus,

It's a basic principle of Government that it is responsible for the short and longterm well-being (health,edcuation, opportunity for its citizans to work & social cohesion), defence, international standing/status etc. In order to do this it has to raise "fair" tax revenue from all who reside.

D Patel, Swindon,

No surprise! NuLab has no idea how to grow revenue or contain costs so they thought of this 'stealth' option. It will frighten off compnies who already pay vast amounts in tax. Who will then make up the shortfall for benefits, public services, etc? All of us! More stealth tax for us from NuLab!

andrew, London,

Somebody's got to pay tax to maintain the UK's public services. The multinationals play governments off against each other to lighten their own tax burden.
The rich can keep their wealth offshore and the poor are net beneficiaries.
The tax burden's solely now on the middle classes.

James Dey, London,

About time that some of the richest people in society that pay next to no tax pay their fair share. If they dont want to pay, they should leave. Is it really fair a cleaner or teacher pays far more as a percentage of their salary that someone on £100K. Which other country lets them do this?

Bob, London,

Perhaps Labour will also hold a downing street conference for ordinary people who are also squeezed to death by the labour tax & waste machine?

Adrian, aldershot, England

Unions & employees beware, this government is intent on driving business out of the country. Third World, here we come...

David, Hereford, UK

We are back at old labour again. Tax and spend, and then when that has no effect tax some more and then spend some more.

For example the tax on empty commercial property. How can that be justified, normally taxes on are based on revenue less allowed expenses. There is no revenue but still tax.

Ash, Bham, UK

Even if Labour are voted out, it will take years to repair the damage. The government is now committed to such a high level of ongoing expenditure that taxes will still need to rise after they have gone. Taxes will only move in the opposite direction after the state has been slimmed down again.

Martin, Newmarket, Suffolk

Tax Tax Tax, that is all Labour can do, vote them out.

Nick P., Camberley Surrey, UK