DOLE cheats could be in for a tough time if Gordon Brown's attack on the black economy takes off. We all know them. They are people who have full time jobs or are drawing State benefits, but are happy to do a little gardening, decorating or car maintenance - cash in hand and nothing written down, or course.

Unfortunately all those jobs on the side and the sale of bootleg alcohol and tobacco add up to a staggering £80billion, which results in billions of pounds of lost revenues to the Treasury.

In other words, they are taking money out of the pockets of hard working, law abiding citizens, who make up the vast majority in this country.

The black economy has been around since taxes were first collected and cracking down on cheats has always been a difficult job.

The very nature of their operation - no records, no advertising - gives them camouflage .

Lord Grabiner's report on the black economy recommends sweeping new measures against individuals and businesses who evade income tax and VAT.

There have been squeals from left wingers who fear that genuinely poor people will be harassed.

This is not the case.

If people are on their "uppers" by all means give them help. But if they abuse the system which provides that help, come down on them hard.

There would be more help available for people on the breadline if the torrent of cash flowing into the black economy could be stemmed.

Lord Grabiner's report says that if the revenue prosecutes only where there are large amounts of evasion it creates the impression that few offenders are punished.

But, if the recommendations are accepted, those receiving cash in hand would be liable for prosecution.

Taxation in this country is among the highest in the western world and no-one enjoys paying it. But that is no excuse for those who milk the system.

They must pay their dues like the rest of us and must be made to realise that the revenue is not "fair game."

They are stealing from the rest of us and they must be brought to book.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.