Rick, Dubai - so how come the law has been twisted to meet a particular religious group? Employment law and educational provision are equially twisted to meet the demands of religious groups - not just Muslims. As a law abiding, hard working, ethical non believer, I object to these different interpretations - the law is the law and should only be changed through the ballot box.

sk, East Sussex,

Surely we just need a lot FEWER taxes?

Labour has tried to create a climate in which taxes cannot be cut; where every saving means "less money for the NHS" or some such, while every bit of profligacy means taxes 'must' be raised.

We're all paying 46% income tax now, even on basic rate (22% PAYE, 11% EE NI and the hidden 13% ERS NI). Do we all feel that we get quantifiable value for half our salary's worth of tax?

Roger, Ipswich,

Stop pandering it is costing the taxpayer. We already have a system of finance in the UK we do not need another.

David Thijm, Stourbridge, UK

Nothing really to say anymore - Just waiting for election day when I can vote CONSERVATIVE!

Mark , Maidstone, UK

As far as I can see, this has nothing to do with Islam nor with Muslims. Rather, it has to do with a quirk in the law. It just so happens this quirk was created because of one group's religious affiliations, but the fact that the intended beneficiaries are Muslims is as unimportant as the colour of shirt they wear or the way they cut their hair.

Indeed, there are many people exploiting this loophole who aren't Muslims at all.

Let's not make this into a religious/cultural issue when it so clearly isn't.

John F, London,

sk, there have been no "adjustments in law" in this matter. All that has happened is that banks have created a work-around to ensure practicing Muslims have the opportunity to purchase property while satisfying themselves that they have not compromised any of the tenets of their religion.
The exchequer dropped the ball and now they are clearing up the mess, not a moment too soon. This is barely news.

Oh and A Harris, but of course, even if the government had claimed the estimated billion pounds in tax, there's no way they would "waste" it on a new hospital. Not when there are wars to fight.

Rick, dubai, uae

Richard (George Town, Cayman Islands) is wrong about pensions. They are a way to defer paying tax on income until after one has retired. That is why it was so wrong for GB in 1998 to stop pension funds reclaiming tax deducted on their dividend income.

Peter, Maidstone UK,

Tax avoidance is not a crime. Tax evasion is. A small technicality but one that should not be overlooked.

Bob, London,

To Joe - Tax avoidance is LEGAL. Tax evasion is not. After all, don't you pay into a pension scheme and claim a deduction on your gross salary?

Richard, George Town, Cayman Islands

This government is quite capable of losing vast amounts of money without trying to blame things on Muslims or for that matter any single group that the government has focussed on during its 10 years of making a complete pigs ear of things.

Roger, London, UK

Clearly yet another Brown bloomer - time for him and Labour to go

peter, Singapore,

I professed to be CoE but now admit to have been a Muslim all along. Does this mean he stamp duty I have paid on my home purchase can be recouped? Great - what an unexpected windfall. Where can I find the application form? Pretty please???????

LT, Warminster, UK

There should be no adjustments in law for any religions. It is up to the individuals living in this country to compy equally. This goes for
all aspects - finances, areas for prayers, benefits, housing, planning laws and education etc.

sk, East Sussex,

If the company that is purchasing the buildings is not MUSLIM owned then using Sharia is illegal and will be tax avoidance. This carries a huge fine and the stamp duty should be reclaimed.

This is a sad case of where the MP's have no idea of the reality of situations.

Joe, Edinburgh, Scotland

It is rush to accommodate Muslim rules in a Christian state the government has lost enough tax revenue to build a new hospital. A sad state of affairs indeed.

A Harris, Kettering, Tyne and Wear