Billions lost from small retailers in tax evasion, says watchdog

National Audit Office says trail of tax debts left by small UK retailers is widespread and increasing every year

The UK is missing out on billions of pounds of revenue each year from small retail businesses that exploit weaknesses in government systems to evade paying tax, the public spending watchdog has warned.

The National Audit Office (NAO), which monitors tax and spending by the government, said the trail of tax debts left by small retailers was widespread and increasing every year.