DESPITE paying PAYE during my entire working life, I have, since retiring 18 months ago, been required to complete four income tax returns.

I have now received correspondence from the offices of HMRC at Shipley, Cumbernauld, and Leicester informing me that for the year 2009-10 I owe tax of £1.75. There is a lengthy explanatory calculation along with instructions on how to pay.

Besides being an extremely wasteful targeting of resources this ludicrous episode highlights a major national scandal.

While HMRC was investigating my affairs businessman Sir Philip Green, by manipulating the nation’s feeble tax regulations, avoided paying tax due of £285m.

Furthermore, he was knighted by Her Majesty and employed by this Government to advise on how to reduce the nation’s financial deficit.

One sure way, of course, to reduce this debt would be for everyone to pay their fair amount of tax due. Successive governments have allowed this situation to continue simply because they lack the will to remedy matters.

All in this together? I think not.

VJ Connor, Bishop Auckland.