UK taxman to shine spotlight on strippers' earnings

The UK taxman is cracking down on adult club owners and adult entertainers as it looks to recoup unpaid taxes.

In a statement on Friday, the department of Revenue & Customs it said the rise of the internet has caused a drastic increase in online escort agencies, with the adult entertainment industry said to be worth up to £5bn.

For the first time in this sector, R&C’s taskforce will target the traders and entertainers, some of whom earn thousands of pounds a day.

Those who continue to operate in the hidden economy and not register with HMRC for VAT, Income Tax and PAYE are being targeted.

Jim Stevenson, head of R&C Taskforces, said: “Large numbers of people working in this industry are paying the tax they owe and they don’t have anything to worry about. The people being targeted by this taskforce have no intention of playing by the rules, and we won’t tolerate this."

“No industry is safe where tax evasion is concerned – we won’t stop tracking people down and taking back what they owe.”

More than 140 taskforces have been launched since 2011 collecting more than £404m that goes towards funding public services. This includes £109m brought in during the first six months of this financial year.