Finance Minister Eugene Cox (pictured)said Government is making headway in collecting monies owed to the public purse.

In August, Mr. Cox reported the Finance Ministry was instituting "systematic changes" to remove deficiencies in Government's revenue management.

At that time $10 million was reported as the outstanding receivables amount for pension contributions alone.

Mr. Cox told The Royal Gazette: "As a policy, and it is in our platform, we would like to better manage revenue.

"And that is one of the things we tried to do from the time I came in to this department; to look at how best we can collect the monies owed Government.

"If we can collect the monies outstanding, then we need less taxes to run the show.

"Whatever we can do to improve the percentage collected - you probably will always lose a little bit - but we will take the necessary steps to get most of it.

"And I feel we are making strides in collecting monies, because of our more aggressive approach to collecting this money.

"We are not just calling, or sending a letter out.

"But, we will feel a lot happier when we get the major portion in."

Mr. Cox said it could be a struggle.

"We have tried to put in place measures to collect monies that are owed.

"But, when one is trying to collect monies when a long time has elapsed, you will find that people will try and get away with as much as they can.

"Some people tend to ignore warnings if they are not being constantly prodded to meet their responsibilities.

"And unless drastically threatened, they think they can get away with it."

Mr. Cox said however that Government is willing to work with those who have defaulted on Government remittances: "We give people warnings; we tell them we are trying to collect money, and we do not want to send everyone up to Westgate.

"I am saying that people need to be told that if they have a problem, to come in (to Government)and tell your circumstances and let us see that you are trying to improve your position.

"If you are unable to give as much as you would like to, restructure it so that you can meet the demand by paying smaller amounts.

"Of course, we would like to have the funds instantaneously but this is not always possible," Mr. Cox said.