THE debate over whether MPs should be forced to publish their tax returns has divided politicians in south Cumbria.

Local MPs are split over whether they should publish their tax statements as the political shock-waves from the Panama Papers continue to be felt.

Tim Farron, Westmorland and Lonsdale

So far the only local MP in the area who has confirmed they will make their tax affairs known is Tim Farron.

The Lib Dem party leader has called for greater transparency in the system following the furore over prime minister David Cameron's  investment in an offshore trust before he took office, which was revealed in the Panama Papers leak.

Mr Farron said: "Tax is not a punishment. It's the subscription that we have to pay to live in a civilised society.

"[The Panama Papers] creates further breakdown, not just in our trust of the tax system, but also a further breakdown in our trust of politicians.

"The big issue is that we have to get the government to do everything it can to tackle this.

"Everything they have done to date has been further action against those guilty of tax evasion.

"But [the Panama Papers] are full of people who are legally doing it: tax avoidance.

"What they could do is have an anti-avoidance rule which would mean any scheme set up for that purpose would be cancelled."

John Woodcock, Barrow and Furness

Unlike his party leader Jeremy Corbyn, John Woodcock, MP for Barrow and Furness, will not publish his tax statement unless Labour issues a directive for its MPs to do so.

Mr Woodcock said: "I will happily publish my tax return if Labour makes a decision as a party that its MPs should do so, but I have no plans to do so until then.

"The register of members' interests is already publicly available and rigorously requires members to document additional earnings and interests."

Jamie Reed, Copeland

Jamie Reed was unable to confirm if he would or wouldn't be making his tax return public but suggested his only main income was his salary.

In a statement, he said: "It is right that those who seek to hold public office should be open and transparent on a range of things, including income. I have no income outside of my MP salary.

"Any small fees occasionally received for writing articles or assisting with survey research are declared in the register of members interests. My salary as an MP is rightly public as is everything associated with this, including my office running costs and the salaries for my staff.

"My MP pay rise, after increased pension contributions and other changes to terms and conditions, will soon be distributed to local charities. This will be the third time I have given my pay rise away.

"I entered politics for what I could give, not for what I could get. For me, this has always been a guiding principle."

Politicians who have released tax details

- David Cameron (prime minister)

- George Osborne (chancellor)

- Jeremy Corbyn (Labour leader)

- John McDonnell (Labour shadow chancellor)

- Nicola Sturgeon (SNP leader and Scottish first minister)

- Kezia Dugdale (Scottish Labour leader)

- Ruth Davidson (Scottish Conservative leader)

- William Rennie (Scottish Lib Dem leader)

- Boris Johnson (Mayor of London)

Should every MP be made to publish their tax return?
MPs are facing calls to publish their tax affairs following revelations leaked in the 'Panama Papers' and details of offshore trusts. Is the call for all MPs to publish their accounts unnecessary? Or should there be greater financial and political accountability?