92 views
Social Justice > Published by Shamik Das, March 17th 2011 at 11:07 am

Lucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal

Print Friendly

Green party leader Caroline Lucas will table a new Tax and Financial Transparency Bill in Parliament today to tackle what she describes as “the UK’s billion-pound tax evasion scandal”. The bill follows the publication earlier this week of a report by Tax Research UK revealing around 500,000 companies ‘disappeared’ from the UK’s Register of Companies in the year to March 2010 – resulting in at least £16 billion of tax lost to the Exchequer.

Greedy-fat-catUrgent measures are needed to stop companies that are formally dissolved from trading fraudulently, she says, undermining honest businesses who pay their taxes.

Lucas adds:

“This Bill would ensure that banks have to provide details on all accounts they maintain for companies operating in the UK so that H M Revenue & Customs and Companies House can chase those companies who do not file the returns they’re obliged to make for the missing information – and the tax they owe.

“This simple law could recover billions of pounds of lost tax for the UK… Secondly, the bill would force companies to ‘publish what tax they pay’, requiring all companies filing accounts in the UK to include a statement on the turnover, pre-tax profit, tax charge and actual tax paid for each country in which they operate, without exception.

“If they only trade in the UK, this has no impact on them. This information would, however, mean that the answers to the questions asked of Barclays Bank earlier this year about where it earned its profits, how much profit was recorded in tax havens, and where it paid its taxes could be answered for all companies trading internationally…

“This information on where companies make their sales, record their profits and pay their taxes is vital if we are to ensure that multinational corporations make a fair and proper contribution to our society. Corporate social responsibility is not an option for companies – and paying tax to the country that provides them with their opportunities to trade is an essential part of it.

“You can’t be socially responsible and accountable unless you say where you are and what you do in each place that you trade.”

In January, Left Foot Forward reported on the role Britain plays in facilitating global tax evasion – that tax havens are, in fact:

“…controlled by the world’s major powers, notably Britain and the United States…”

As Lydia Prieg, researcher at the new economics foundation, wrote on this blog:

“Britain has a large array of tax havens affiliated with it in the form of “Crown Dependencies”, which include Guernsey and Jersey, and “Overseas Territories”, such as the Cayman Islands… Moreover, a recent OECD report claims that one of Britain’s jurisdictions, Guernsey, has not yet fully complied with the very minimal international standards on tax transparency…

“The UK must no longer pretend it has nothing to do with this offshore network, and instead should shoulder its responsibility to guarantee the “good governance” of these jurisdictions. At the very least, the government should ensure that Guernsey meets the minimal international standards.”

The Liberal Democrat election manifesto pledged to tackle:

“…avoidance and evasion, with new powers for HM Revenue & Customs and a law to ensure properties can’t avoid stamp duty if they are put into an offshore trust.”

…yet the coalition agreement doesn’t once mention tax evasion.

Danny Alexander may have said: 

“We will be ruthless with those often wealthy people and businesses who think they can treat paying tax as an optional extra. This will mean: A crackdown on those hiding money offshore. And that includes not only those who illegally evade tax but those who use entirely legal means to avoid paying their fair share to the taxman.”

And Nick Clegg:

“We will crack down on the super rich who hide money overseas.”

Now is the chance for them to prove it – by backing Lucas’s bill.

  • http://twitter.com/puffles2010/status/48340975524921344 puffles2010

    RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @ShamikDas

  • http://twitter.com/jasonoutsider/status/48341005421920256 jasonoutsider

    RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @ShamikDas

  • http://twitter.com/manishtasunnia/status/48341234619650048 manishtasunnia

    Green MP @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf #nocuts #ukuncut

  • http://twitter.com/hackneygreens/status/48341504707657729 hackneygreens

    RT @manishtasunnia: Green MP @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf #nocuts #ukuncut

  • http://twitter.com/oxkev/status/48341671770980352 oxkev

    RT @manishtasunnia: Green MP @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf #nocuts #ukuncut

  • http://twitter.com/tlafford/status/48341881251303424 tlafford

    RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @ShamikDas

  • http://twitter.com/lescromps/status/48341985299415041 lescromps

    Lucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal | Left Foot Forward http://bit.ly/eMJ8E1 #UKuncut

  • http://twitter.com/antoniobarbaro/status/48342048960561152 antoniobarbaro

    RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @ShamikDas

  • http://twitter.com/sean_gittins/status/48342351671853056 sean gittins

    RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @ShamikDas

  • http://twitter.com/nishmadoshi/status/48342368415526912 nishmadoshi

    RT @manishtasunnia: Green MP @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf #nocuts #ukuncut

  • http://twitter.com/apogonowski/status/48342419787350016 apogonowski

    Fantastic to see @TheGreenParty policies in #Parliament as proposed laws. Great work @CarolineLucas http://bit.ly/fhEdxf

  • http://twitter.com/philcovers/status/48342651552010240 philcovers

    RT @manishtasunnia: Green MP @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf #nocuts #ukuncut

  • http://twitter.com/goodoldmj/status/48342663644196864 Martin Johnston

    RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @ShamikDas

  • http://twitter.com/carerwatch/status/48342744321634304 carerwatch

    RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @ShamikDas

  • http://twitter.com/sheppeyescapee/status/48343007807811584 sheppeyescapee

    RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @ShamikDas

  • http://twitter.com/greenerlondon/status/48343550554939393 greenerlondon

    RT @manishtasunnia: Green MP @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf #nocuts #ukuncut

  • http://twitter.com/katapola/status/48344266187087872 katapola

    RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @ShamikDas

  • http://twitter.com/westernshores/status/48346046161620992 westernshores

    RT @leftfootfwd: Lucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal http://bit.ly/f3DkpU Good for her! Big fat cats must pay big tax!

  • http://twitter.com/jhoncooper/status/48346563055063040 jhoncooper

    RT @manishtasunnia: Green MP @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf #nocuts #ukuncut

  • http://twitter.com/ceesav/status/48346582348861440 ceesav

    RT @westernshores: RT @leftfootfwd: Lucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal http://bit.ly/f3DkpU Good for her! Big fat …

  • http://twitter.com/rcosgrove/status/48346643610877952 Richard Cosgrove

    RT @westernshores: RT @leftfootfwd: Lucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal http://bit.ly/f3DkpU Good for her! Big fat …

  • http://twitter.com/eleanorbesley/status/48346941515501568 eleanorbesley

    RT @leftfootfwd: Lucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal http://bit.ly/f3DkpU @CarolineLucas

  • http://twitter.com/klousummerside/status/48347219425890304 klousummerside

    RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @ShamikDas

  • http://twitter.com/cosmiclandmine/status/48347529577893890 cosmiclandmine

    RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @ShamikDas

  • http://twitter.com/karlajt/status/48349810188763136 karlajt

    RT @manishtasunnia: Green MP @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf #nocuts #ukuncut

  • http://twitter.com/northlancsgreen/status/48350288964354048 northlancsgreen

    Caroline Lucas tables new Tax and Financial Transparency Bill in Parliament to end £16bn tax evasion scandal – http://bit.ly/dE4Sph

  • http://twitter.com/hlcheathrow/status/48354580458766336 hlcheathrow

    RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @ShamikDas

  • http://twitter.com/susan_nash/status/48354618509504512 susan nash

    RT @leftfootfwd: Lucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal http://bit.ly/f3DkpU

  • http://twitter.com/nefbusiness/status/48357232278118400 nefbusiness

    RT @leftfootfwd: Lucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal http://bit.ly/f3DkpU

  • http://twitter.com/chris_coltrane/status/48358852793614336 Chris Coltrane

    RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @ShamikDas

  • http://twitter.com/ladywolfcub/status/48359324568924160 ladywolfcub

    RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @ShamikDas

  • http://twitter.com/twuncut/status/48360574509252608 twuncut

    Interesting timing from Caroline Lucas, but very welcome! http://j.mp/fCDnVG #taxevasion #ukuncut

  • http://twitter.com/mediaactivist/status/48362226918244352 Jay Baker

    RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @ShamikDas

  • http://twitter.com/carolinelucas/status/48362411132059648 carolinelucas

    RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @ShamikDas >> thanks

  • http://twitter.com/ilovechomsky/status/48362495961870337 ilovechomsky

    RT @CarolineLucas: RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @S …

  • http://twitter.com/samconnacher/status/48362922803609600 samconnacher

    RT @CarolineLucas: RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @S …

  • http://twitter.com/ohgodohgod/status/48362929942302720 ohgodohgod

    RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @ShamikDas

  • http://twitter.com/howarthm/status/48362946925039616 howarthm

    RT @CarolineLucas: RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @S …

  • http://twitter.com/lewiscoyne/status/48363097060163584 lewiscoyne

    RT @CarolineLucas: RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @S …

  • http://twitter.com/lmwalter/status/48363753569402880 lmwalter

    RT @manishtasunnia: Green MP @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf #nocuts #ukuncut

  • http://twitter.com/denny/status/48363914571956224 denny

    RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @ShamikDas

  • http://twitter.com/hackneygreens/status/48363918283907072 hackneygreens

    RT @CarolineLucas: RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @S …

  • http://twitter.com/jounderground/status/48364395163684865 jounderground

    RT @CarolineLucas: RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @S …

  • http://twitter.com/slintottuk/status/48364629834993664 slintottuk
  • Progressive Tax Blog

    It will be interesting to see how the discussion on country by country reporting pans out.

    We can already predict that the ConDem response will be that they can’t do this without international agreement or changes to International Financial Reporting Standards (which are overseen by the non-accountable International Accounting Standards board). That is nonsense. The Companies Act already includes provisions relating to accounting disclosures and could be easily amended to require country by country reporting.

    The real question is what have multinationals got to hide from their own shareholders?

  • http://twitter.com/theneweconomics/status/48364869581410304 theneweconomics

    Campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: piece from Caroline Lucas that draws heavily on blog from nef's Lydia Prieg http://bit.ly/fOsJNx

  • http://twitter.com/morganhphillips/status/48365387649261568 Morgan Hope Phillips

    RT @CarolineLucas: RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @S …

  • http://twitter.com/tamsinchan/status/48366670548439040 tamsinchan

    Campaign launched by @CarolineLucas to end £16bn tax evasion scandal | @ShamikDas at @LeftFootFwd http://bit.ly/fhEdxf > @falseecon #UKUncut

  • http://twitter.com/fwalloe/status/48367457295024128 fwalloe

    'Lucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal' http://bit.ly/dE4Sph #ukuncut #Lucas #demo2011 #bankers #tax #greens #evasion

  • http://twitter.com/gralegav/status/48367838813102080 gralegav

    RT @tamsinchan: Campaign launched by @CarolineLucas to end £16bn tax evasion scandal | @ShamikDas at @LeftFootFwd http://bit.ly/fhEdxf & …

  • http://twitter.com/danielnobody/status/48367870379425795 danielnobody

    RT @tamsinchan: Campaign launched by @CarolineLucas to end £16bn tax evasion scandal | @ShamikDas at @LeftFootFwd http://bit.ly/fhEdxf & …

  • http://twitter.com/dustypenman/status/48368002562924544 dustypenman

    RT @CarolineLucas: RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @S …

  • http://twitter.com/lighthearteddan/status/48369250464825345 lighthearteddan

    RT @tamsinchan: Campaign launched by @CarolineLucas to end £16bn tax evasion scandal | @ShamikDas at @LeftFootFwd http://bit.ly/fhEdxf & …

  • http://twitter.com/mdkent/status/48371782473875456 mdkent

    RT @CarolineLucas: RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @S …

  • http://twitter.com/puffles2010/status/48372381579886592 puffles2010

    RT @tamsinchan: Campaign launched by @CarolineLucas to end £16bn tax evasion scandal | @ShamikDas at @LeftFootFwd http://bit.ly/fhEdxf & …

  • http://twitter.com/nerveinjurysupp/status/48374393293905920 nerveinjurysupp

    RT @CarolineLucas: RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @S …

  • http://twitter.com/jaccattaneo/status/48376728288112640 jaccattaneo

    RT @CarolineLucas: RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @S …

  • http://twitter.com/rossofcourse/status/48378515887882240 rossofcourse

    RT @tamsinchan: Campaign launched by @CarolineLucas to end £16bn tax evasion scandal | @ShamikDas at @LeftFootFwd http://bit.ly/fhEdxf & …

  • http://twitter.com/oldmankelv/status/48381818583519232 oldmankelv

    RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @ShamikDas

  • http://twitter.com/jamieandrews/status/48386730000252930 Jamie Andrews

    RT @CarolineLucas: RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @S …

  • http://twitter.com/redjolly1/status/48388246111129600 redjolly1

    RT @CarolineLucas: RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @S …

  • http://twitter.com/myinfamy/status/48390453460086785 myinfamy

    @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf #ConDemNation

  • http://twitter.com/carlraincoat/status/48390776731869184 carlraincoat
  • http://twitter.com/tjm_77/status/48392459662790656 tjm 77

    Great idea: RT @leftfootfwd: @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://t.co/qr9NLxn reports @ShamikDas

  • http://twitter.com/c_a_jonestechno/status/48402531314974722 c a jonestechno

    RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @ShamikDas

  • http://www.timworstall.com Tim Worstall

    Aren’t you guys tired yet of promoting yet another piece of Richard Murphy’s wibble?

  • http://twitter.com/emmabaileyphoto/status/48441982456049664 emmabaileyphoto
  • http://twitter.com/blaurock/status/48463465844719616 Phil Wood

    RT @CarolineLucas: RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @S …

  • http://twitter.com/geoffdl/status/48467956518240256 Geoff Lott

    RT @CarolineLucas: RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @S …

  • http://twitter.com/rickseymour/status/48497793530216448 Rick Seymour

    Caroline Lucas (Green Party) tables House of Commons Bill to end tax evasion! http://bit.ly/dE4Sph

  • http://twitter.com/ninjawivamullet/status/48497865357660160 Richard Hartley
  • william

    You gave us ‘multiculturalism’, we decided not to pay taxes to support the consequences…

  • http://WWW.actionaid.org.uk/schtop Chris Jordan

    To be fair, the coalition agreement does specifically mention tax avoidance, with this on p.30 ‘We will make every effort to tackle tax avoidance, including detailed development of Liberal Democrat proposals.’

    Given Lib Dem support for country by county reporting before they got into government (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/sep/23/tax-havens-g20), perhaps now is their time to step up and deliver on this – as Lord Oakeshott urged them to do on Newsnight yesterday.

  • Anon E Mouse

    Let’s hope we can start with the Guardian Media group and then all those people who actually read that comic anymore can realise the consequences of their actions.

    Stop supporting tax avoiders just because they share your minority opinion…

  • http://twitter.com/microcuts_22/status/48666947386228736 owen

    RT @CarolineLucas: RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @S …

  • http://twitter.com/rosshaffenden/status/48797531437674496 Ross Haffenden

    RT @CarolineLucas: RT @leftfootfwd: . @CarolineLucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal: http://bit.ly/fhEdxf reports @S …

  • http://twitter.com/dizzyingcrest/status/49904062610685953 Dizzying Crest

    RT @leftfootfwd: Lucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal http://bit.ly/f3DkpU

  • http://twitter.com/hannmrfitz/status/49904413057355776 Hannah..♥

    RT @Dizzyingcrest: RT @leftfootfwd: Lucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal http://bit.ly/f3DkpU

  • http://twitter.com/manatrue/status/49904923445444609 bee hive

    RT @Dizzyingcrest: RT @leftfootfwd: Lucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal http://bit.ly/f3DkpU

  • http://twitter.com/annpettifor/status/49957989062410240 Ann Pettifor

    RT @leftfootfwd: Lucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal http://bit.ly/f3DkpU

  • http://twitter.com/puffles2010/status/49960125619908608 The Dragon Fairy

    RT @AnnPettifor: RT @leftfootfwd: Lucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal http://bit.ly/f3DkpU

  • http://twitter.com/chickpeajones/status/49960707315347456 chickpea jones

    RT @AnnPettifor: RT @leftfootfwd: Lucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal http://bit.ly/f3DkpU

  • http://twitter.com/deardaveandnick/status/49962252358520833 Bern O’Donoghue

    RT @AnnPettifor: RT @leftfootfwd: Lucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal http://bit.ly/f3DkpU

  • http://twitter.com/kcrayner/status/49969563454013440 Kaisie Rayner
  • http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/10/exclusive-98-ftse-100-companies-addicted-to-tax-havens/ Exclusive: 98 of the FTSE 100 companies are addicted to tax havens | Left Foot Forward

    [...] Lucas launches campaign to end £16bn tax evasion scandal – Shamik Das, March 17th [...]

  • http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/12/look-left-23-12-11/ Look Left – Look back at the year | Left Foot Forward

    [...] dissolved from trading fraudulently and undermining honest businesses who pay their taxes. More here and [...]

  • http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2011/12/23/caroline-lucas-the-lefts-progressive-of-the-year/ Caroline Lucas – the left’s progressive of the year » Tax Research UK

    [...] In March, she tabled a new Tax and Financial Transparency Bill in Parliament, saying urgent measures were needed to stop companies that are formally dissolved from trading fraudulently and undermining honest businesses who pay their taxes. More here and here. [...]