The number of criminal prosecutions for tax evasion has climbed by almost a third, thanks to a major crackdown by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Prosecutions went up by 29% to 795 in the 2013-14 tax year compared with just 617 in the preceding 12 month period.

HMRC has been tasked with helping the government to claw back tax revenues from non-payers and under-payers of tax. It is part of a bid to close the shortfall in government revenues compared with compared with spending.

Emma Nendick, head of tax at the Practical Law service, said: “HMRC has got suspected tax evaders firmly in its sights, taking more and more cases to the criminal courts in an effort to clampdown on this area.

“Criminal records and prison sentences are not just an idle threat. In fact the increasing volume of criminal prosecutions is one of the measures by which HMRC now judges its success.”

HMRC has been set the target of 1165 new criminal convictions for the 2014-15 year, a near-50% increase in new cases prosecuted.