The sun-soaked islands that have been the traditional refuge of reluctant taxpayers have not lost their physical charm. However the promise of secrecy – a special attraction of offshore centres – is being eroded by a clampdown on money-laundering and an international onslaught on tax evasion.

Would-be evaders might be advised to give careful scrutiny to a recent report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development that charts significant progress in its effort to improve global transparency in tax matters.