Hackney Council tops list of councils paying staff through “tax avoidance scheme”

The BBC reports how local councils are helping people who work for them avoid tax:

Almost 100 permanent posts at local councils are being filled by people paid through limited companies, the BBC has learned.

Dozens of high-earners are allowed to make their own tax arrangements rather than be paid through the PAYE system.

Public accounts committee chair Margaret Hodge described the situation as a “tax avoidance scheme, which is totally wrong.”…

Hackney Council in London had the highest number, with 39 of its permanent staff paid through external companies.

You can read the full story about Hackney and other councils here.

Note: another great example of the Freedom of Information Act at work, which I mention as the future of FoI is being reviewed.