Tories propose 'googling for taxes' scheme

The Conservative Party is urging the government to build a website that would allow people to "google their tax pounds" in a bid for better transparency.

The proposal, made by shadow chancellor George Osborne, would allow taxpayers to see every single item of expenditure above £25,000 - except those related to national security or personal privacy - on the web.

The move is part of wider legislative proposals made by the Conservatives to make the government more accountable for its spending. The party is set to introduce its Government Spending Transparency Bill in parliament before Christmas.

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Although the bill is likely to be rejected, the move could spark a debate and pressure the government to make it easier to see how tax revenues are spent.

Osborne said government spending has been "shrouded in Whitehall secrecy for too long" and under the scheme people could hold government to account. It would also encourage better spending habits and allow people to "follow the money", he added.

Under the scheme the Treasury would publish the list of government expenditures online in real time.

Earlier this year internet search giant Google said it intends to crack down on the use of its brand name as a generic verb, saying phrases such as 'to google' somebody or something are potentially damaging to its brand.