Emmanuel Macron's 'pathetic' losing battle with tax evasion slammed

Emmanuel Macron's efforts to curb tax evasion in France have been branded "pathetic" by lawmakers.

French MP Charlotte Leduc, has criticised the French Government's "pathetic measures" to combat tax fraud as part of a parliamentary investigation led by the left-wing France Insoumise party.

Leduc wrote on X that currently, French officials are only able to recover €15 billion from a total of €80 to €120 billion owed in taxes.

Her report demands Macron make France a leader in international "tax diplomacy" presenting the issue as "a question of political will".

The report penned by Investigators reports that: "The results of tax inspections remain mediocre, and the staff and resources allocated to this task are still inadequate."

The report calls for a hike in corporation tax from the current level of 15 per cent to 25 per cent.

On a wealth tax targetting billionaires, the French MPs called for legislation to be brought forward to bring France in line with the European rate of two per cent.

It also advocates for a tougher stance on tax havens and tougher measures against "transfer pricing", cross-border transactions between subsidiaries of multinationals designed to seemingly reduce profits and avoid tax.

Meanwhile Macron has reportedly imposed a major hike in council tax fees for British citizens who own second houses in France, potentially exceeding 60 per cent.

Post-Brexit laws that limit British property owners' stay period without a visa have already impacted British property owners in European Union countries.

This latest French government decision has been labelled a "double whammy" for those affected since it coincides with the increased tax rates, a move that has been labelled "galling" by a number of the 86,000 British households who enjoy a second home in France.