Nigel Farage Leader uses own private company to reduce his tax bill

Nigel Farage is using a private company to reduce his tax bill on his GB News media appearances and other outside employment in a television star-style arrangement that has in recent years become frowned on by major broadcasters.

- Pippa Crerar

The Reform UK leader diverts money from his primetime television show into his company, which means that he paid only 25% corporation tax on profits, instead of 40% income tax, and could offset some expenses.

The Clacton MP, who is also paid a £94,000 a year MP's salary, has in the past criticised people who try to avoid tax as the "common enemy" and has previously come under fire for setting up a trust fund in an offshore tax haven.

He has also previously said that some tax avoidance schemes were acceptable. "Most forms of legal tax avoidance are OK, but clearly some are not," he said in 2014. He added: "No one voluntarily pays any additional income to the Inland Revenue," while defending reducing a tax bill within the law.

He claimed last year to have bought a house in his constituency, but the property is actually owned in the name of his partner, meaning he legally avoided higher-rate stamp duty on the purchase of an additional home - given that he already owns other properties.