Paying for progress - Great Britain

This work offers a compelling fresh approach to one of the most controversial subjects of British politics - taxation. Challenging both the tax-cutting ideology of the Conservatives and New Labour's virtual taboo on any mention of the subject, this book places a proper debate about taxation and public services at the heart of a new politics for Britain.;This report of the Fabian Society's Commission on Taxation and Citizenship, "Paying for Progress", argues that voters must be "reconnected" to the taxes they pay and the public spending which these finance. It calls for greater use of "earmarked" taxes and better auditing of government performance. Addressing some of the major challenges facing modern societies, it also asks if higher taxes are needed to pay for public services, explores the impact of globalisation and the internet, proposes the "devolution" of taxation and recommends a more progressive, and environmentally efficient, tax system.;Written in an accessible style, this book is intended to provide an influential contribution to political thought and policy in the first decade of the 21st century.