Peter Hain has again called on the government to use the tax system to redistribute money from the rich to the poor.

Writing in a pamphlet published by Progress magazine, Hain says: "We have been one of the most redistributive governments ever: since 1997 the real incomes of the poorest tenth of society have risen by 15 per cent with those of the richest falling by three per cent."

"This gap needs further narrowing whilst still rewarding risk taking, enterprise and success - because huge inequalities remain."

He also calls for "an honest debate about the limits of general taxation if we also wish to use taxation to redistribute to those on low incomes".