Reform UK Deputy Leader Advocates for Minimum Tax Payments Amid Personal Scrutiny
Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, has publicly stated that all British citizens should strive to pay the minimum amount of tax legally permissible. This declaration came during a press conference on Monday, where Tice faced intense questioning regarding a Sunday Times investigation into his own tax affairs. The newspaper alleged that his property company utilised a rare legal mechanism to avoid paying nearly £600,000 in corporation tax.
Allegations of Corporation Tax Avoidance Through Reit Scheme
According to the Sunday Times report, Tice's property firm employed a specialised legal structure known as a real estate investment trust (Reit) between 2018 and 2021. This arrangement reportedly enabled the company to legally sidestep corporation tax payments during that period. The Labour Party has since urged HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to launch a formal investigation into these financial arrangements, citing potential concerns over the integrity of the tax system.
When directly questioned about whether he believed it was appropriate to minimise tax payments in such a manner, Tice firmly rejected the notion that individuals or businesses should be obligated to pay the maximum possible tax. He elaborated by asking reporters, "How many friends and family do you have who voluntarily choose to pay more tax than they are legally obliged to do, or who voluntarily decide, actually I'm going to pay the absolute maximum I can?"
Tice Dismisses Media Coverage as Misleading Smear Campaign
Tice characterised the Sunday Times story as a deliberate attempt to smear his reputation, pointing to a tweet by the journalist Gabriel Pogrund that confirmed Tice had paid all necessary taxes under the terms of the Reit scheme. He argued that the media was promoting a dangerous new moral imperative in the United Kingdom, suggesting that citizens should pay more than legally required.
"We have entered a new world where there is a moral imperative now in the United Kingdom that you shouldn't just pay tax as required," Tice stated during the press conference. He warned that this emerging attitude could lead to a significant exodus of people from the country, describing the expectation to pay maximum personal income tax rates as "a mad situation to be in."
Labour Calls for Urgent HMRC Investigation
In response to the allegations, Labour chair Anna Turley has written a formal letter to HMRC demanding an immediate investigation. Turley expressed concerns that Tice and his company may have abused the intentions behind the Reit process, describing it as "a deeply troubling case which needs to be investigated with the utmost urgency."
Tice countered these claims by asserting that Reit schemes are not exclusive to wealthy individuals or corporations. He emphasised that approximately 200 such trusts operate in the UK and are accessible to any investor, regardless of their financial status. The Reform UK deputy leader maintained that his actions were entirely legal and represented standard financial planning within the existing tax framework.
The controversy emerges as Reform UK attempts to position itself as a fiscally responsible alternative to traditional political parties, with Tice recently presenting claims about significant savings achieved in English councils under Reform's management. This tax minimisation debate highlights ongoing tensions between legal tax avoidance strategies and public perceptions of financial fairness in the current economic climate.
