A week that saw HMRC step up pressure on Rangers FC, calls for a tax on “junk food” in The Lancet and reports on how Bonn uses a  meter to tax its prostitutes.  I did like the argument put forward against the use of this meter by a prostitutes’ rights activist: “double taxation”.

The Liberal Democrats are making almost all of the running on tax ideas and policy just now.  The debate, for debate read argument, over whether to retain the present top rate of income tax and/or introduce a “mansion tax” continues between the partners in the UK coalition government.  In addition the Liberals are calling for a proper examination of how a “land tax” might work.

Attendees of last night’s annual CBI Scotland dinner heard, in between the odd constitutional reference, its UK President Sir Roger Carr, criticise the UK’s “punitive” tax regime and HM Treasury’s “misguided” levy on North Sea oil production.

Not surprised to hear of HMRC’s role in the “Mortgage Verification Scheme” and that it is to start scaling back its “time to pay policy”.  That is a scheme that allows a businesses additional time to pay its tax bill.

Surprised that those calling for a reduced rate of VAT on home repairs and renovations are not making more use of the fact that the Isle of Man has negotiated such an agreement with HM Treasury.

Not a dull week.