The UK’s HM Revenue and Customs, the tax authority, has started to publish the name of tax “defaulters” on its website for the first time as part of a “name and shame” campaign against such individuals.

The organisation said it has been given the power to publish these names as part of a drive to deter persons form “deliberately defaulting on their tax obligations”. Firms named on the website include a knitware manufacturer, property maintenance firm, a wine retailer and hairdresser.

Another feature of the move is that non-compliant persons will be encouraged to fully disclose their affairs at the start of a tax probe so that their details will not be published, HMRC said in a statement.

“The publication of these names sends a clear signal that cheating on tax is wrong and reassures people who pay their taxes – the vast majority – that there are consequences for those who refuse to tell HMRC about their full liability. It also encourages defaulters to make a full and prompt disclosure and cooperate with HMRC to avoid being named,” David Gauke, a finance minister, said.

HMRC will update the list of those published on its website each quarter, it said.

The organisation defines a “deliberate defaulter” as a person who incurs a relevant penalty for an inaccuracy in a return or document for a tax period beginning on or after 1 April 2010;  a failure to comply with certain obligations, such as the obligation to notify HMRC of a liability to tax, or a VAT or excise wrongdoing that occurred on or after 1 April 2010.