Minister promises tough action on tax havens

LONDON (Reuters) - The Government on Monday promised tough European Union action against countries refusing to meet international rules on tax evasion.

Treasury minister Stephen Timms will attend a meeting of EU ministers in Paris on Tuesday to discuss an initiative against tax havens following the recent action taken to address tax evasion in Lichtenstein.

"There are jurisdictions that continue to flout the rules shamelessly, to the detriment of other countries and businesses," Timms said ahead of the meeting.

"We will ensure all countries that refuse to share information and seek to benefit from conditions that promote tax evasion, are held to account."