An article in The Times yesterday casts doubts over the commitment of the Tories to the overthrough of IR35 in a future government. According to the article, Michael Portillo (Shadow Chancellor) has declined to commit himself to abolishing the legislation, despite numerous comments expressing their anger over this subject. The article goes on to say that The Federation of Small Businesses believes that Mr Portillo's reluctance to take a firm stand might be because of the potential of the new tax regime to boost government coffers. Nicholas Goulding, chief executive of The Forum for Private Business argues that IR35 is in the hands of the Inland Revenue and not individual ministers:
"IR35 is a continuation of the same agenda that the Revenue has been following for eight years, before Labour came to power," he said. "It is neither Conservative nor Labour, but an attempt by the Revenue to close what it views as a tax loophole."