Nine out of ten British adults say tax avoidance by large companies is morally wrong even if it is legal, while three-quarters want the UK government to legislate to discourage UK companies from avoiding tax in developing countries, according to a survey on behalf of Christian Aid
The survey of over 2,000 individuals, conducted for the charity by ComRes in the wake of the publication of the Paradise Papers, found that 85% believe it is too easy for large companies to avoid paying tax.
There were also suggestions that consumers are changing their behaviours as a result. One in four of those polled indicated they are currently boycotting a company’s products or services because it does not pay its fair share of taxes, with a further 43% considering a boycott.
Ahead of this week’s annual joint ministerial council of the heads of the UK’s overseas territories in London, Christian Aid says that the Paradise Papers revelations indicate that many of these jurisdictions are reliant on financial secrecy and low tax, and says the time has come to discuss how overseas territories might transition away from this status quo.
Toby Quantrill, head of economic development at Christian Aid said: ‘It is time to stop defending the indefensible and for the UK government and the overseas territories to work together towards a sustainable alternative future for the good of everyone. We have been having the same conversation for more than four years and now it is time for action.
‘At this joint ministerial council, we need to see moves to create public registers of beneficial ownership in all the overseas territories, providing the same level of transparency that we already have in the UK. The UK government also has a responsibility to support an economic transition and so far this seems entirely missing from these discussions.’
Report by Pat Sweet
