HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has published a list of London’s “tax cheats”.

The latest document went on the HMRC website today (May 20) and names and shames defaulters who failed to pay more than £25k that was owed.

Although officials say releasing the information does not come lightly the hope is to better create “a level playing field for honest people and businesses”, cracking down on a dishonest minority. 

HMRC’s director general for enforcement and compliance Jennie Granger said: “Publishing taxpayers’ names is not something we do lightly – but this is an important part of HMRC’s approach to combating tax evasion and non-compliance.

“Each person named has cheated the Exchequer out of more than £25,000 and that’s unfair to those who pay their tax. In the last year penalties have ranged from £10,000 to over £2 million.

“The majority of people pay the tax that is due, but there is a small minority who try to evade their responsibilities.”

She added HMRC urge people to come forward and cooperate and said if they do they will avoid being named.

Deliberate tax evaders were first made public in February last year and are now released every quarter.

Details can be found at hmrc.gov.uk/defaulters

Do you think it is fair that HMRC publishes this information? Comment below.