Political figures, unions and even buyout industry insiders have recently levelled criticism at the preferential tax treatment enjoyed by private equity fund managers, who benefit from a rate as low as 10% on their bonuses compared to the UK's standard top income rate of 40%.

"Carried interest" is the typical 20% share distributed among fund managers after the exit of a private equity investment. Interest is only paid to fund managers after investors have received an 8% return on their cash. Financial News Online looks at the views expressed so far over the taxation of carried interest by the industry, politicians and unions: