The UK’s 1,100-plus reliefs are a “poorly managed” part of the tax system and continue to grow in number, creating opportunities for misuse, MPs have warned.

A new report from the Commons’ public affairs committee (PAC) highlights a “lack of transparency and accountability for tax reliefs and no adequate system of control”, partly as the result of the Treasury’s failure to follow up on its pledge to develop a framework for the introduction of new breaks – which the PAC insists should be introduced only when there is a “strong and proven case” in favour.

“Tax reliefs are a substantial, complex and poorly managed element of the tax system,” says the MPs’ document, which …