Gordon Brown continued his crusade against tax avoidance in his pre-Budget report.

The Chancellor gave little detail, but the small print of the report, as well as a technical note issued by the Inland Revenue on the same day, spell out a significant clampdown on a range of schemes used to reduce tax bills.

As well as countering the abuse of film and partnership tax reliefs, and blocking schemes which exploit relief under double taxation treaties between the UK and other countries, the Treasury and Revenue launched a broadside against employers who reduce tax on bonuses paid to employees, particularly bonuses in the form of shares and other securities.

The Government has started writing to millions of parents who qualify for Child Trust Fund vouchers, which will give them an initial payment of up to £500, with a small addition for those children born before 6 April 2005, to put into an account for children born on or after September 1 2002.

The first vouchers, which can broadly be invested in either a cash savings or equities-based account, are expected to be sent to parents from this January.

Tax charge fear for owners.
Thousands of Britons with holiday homes abroad could be forced to pay hundreds of pounds a year in tax even though they make no money from their property.

Many people who bought property in Spain, France and Italy through a company to avoid inheritance rules in the country of purchase could be liable for tax as if they were receiving payments equal to the notional rent on the property.