A TUC analysis of the CBI's Tax Task Force Report published today (Monday) says that its proposals add up to a “tax dodgers' charter” which, if implemented, would lead to tax hikes for ordinary people, damaging cuts to public services and abandoning Government commitments on child poverty.

On the eve of International Women's Day, a new report from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), reveals that on average, women around the world are paid 16 per cent less than their male work colleagues.

Commenting on the decision today (Thursday) of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee to hold interest rates at 5.25%, TUC Head of Economic and Social Affairs Adam Lent said: “Today's hold was expected, given that inflation is expected to jump later this month. However the Bank's forecasts for weak economic growth in 2008 pile the pressure on for an April cut in interest rates – a move which would prove better news for the longer term strength of the economy.”

The TUC is today (Thursday) calling on the Government to back an EU led crackdown on tax evasion through UK linked tax havens such as Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. The TUC estimates that as much as £3.6 billion may be lost to the Treasury through illegal tax evasion, conducted under the cloak of secrecy offered by these tax havens. The total revenue lost to UK taxpayers through use of tax havens throughout the world is estimated to be around £7.2 billion.

Commenting on the Low Pay Commission's (LPC) report and announcement today (Wednesday) that the adult minimum wage will increase by 3.8 per cent to £5.73 an hour from October 2008, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: “We welcome this increase in the minimum wage, which will benefit more than a million low paid workers.