Gateshead Council becomes 35th Fair Tax Council in the UK
The Councils for Fair Tax Declaration commits cities, towns and districts to doing the right thing in their own tax affairs, requiring greater transparency from suppliers and joining calls for rules to change so that they can do more to tackle tax avoidance when buying goods and services from supplier businesses.
Councillors unanimously agreed to commit to the declaration after the motion was moved by Councillor Ron Beadle, who said: "As recipients and administrators of significant public funding, local authorities should take the lead in promoting exemplary tax conduct, from ensuring the Council's contractors are paying their proper share of tax to refusing to accept offshore tax dodging when buying land or property.
Officially becoming a Fair Tax Council reaffirms Gateshead's commitment to doing the right thing for our people and economy, through our existing frameworks and by supporting calls for stronger action on poor tax conduct."
Polling* commissioned from ICM by the Fair Tax Foundation found that two-thirds (66%) of the public agree that the Government and local councils should consider a company's ethics and how they pay their tax as well as value for money and quality of service provided, when undertaking procurement.
Alison Dunn, Chief Executive Officer at Citizens Advice Gateshead, said: "Gateshead people are currently experiencing substantial financial challenges, and for many this is having a serious negative impact on both their personal and their work lives. Tax contributions are a key part of the positive social and economic impact made by business, and as such I'm encouraged to see Gateshead Council take this important step to not only be transparent about its own tax affairs, but to use its influence to encourage social action and good tax practice across its supply chain."
The UK as a whole is estimated to lose around £17bn in corporation tax receipts every year as a result of multinational profit shifting alone. Aggressive tax avoidance negatively distorts national and local economies and reduces contributions that support vital public services on which we all rely.
Mary Patel, Networks Manager at the Fair Tax Foundation said: "We're delighted to see Gateshead Council standing up for responsible tax conduct by supporting the Councils for Fair Tax Declaration.
"Together with our Fair Tax Councils, we are calling on the UK Government to change the rules so local councils and other public bodies can reward supplier businesses that pay tax fairly and transparently. Alongside this, it's vital that Government presses ahead with planned reforms to the UK's corporate registration service, to drive down fraud and dirty money and enable a more trusted and efficient business marketplace to evolve."
Pictured left to right: Councillor Ron Beadle, Councillor Jonathan Wallace, Councillor Martin Gannon and Councillor Gary Haley on the Gateshead Millennium Bridge
The Councils for Fair Tax Declaration commits cities, towns and districts to doing the right thing in their own tax affairs, requiring greater transparency from suppliers and joining calls for rules to change so that they can do more to tackle tax avoidance when buying goods and services from supplier businesses.
Councillors unanimously agreed to commit to the declaration after the motion was moved by Councillor Ron Beadle, who said: "As recipients and administrators of significant public funding, local authorities should take the lead in promoting exemplary tax conduct, from ensuring the Council's contractors are paying their proper share of tax to refusing to accept offshore tax dodging when buying land or property.
Officially becoming a Fair Tax Council reaffirms Gateshead's commitment to doing the right thing for our people and economy, through our existing frameworks and by supporting calls for stronger action on poor tax conduct."
Polling* commissioned from ICM by the Fair Tax Foundation found that two-thirds (66%) of the public agree that the Government and local councils should consider a company's ethics and how they pay their tax as well as value for money and quality of service provided, when undertaking procurement.
Alison Dunn, Chief Executive Officer at Citizens Advice Gateshead, said: "Gateshead people are currently experiencing substantial financial challenges, and for many this is having a serious negative impact on both their personal and their work lives. Tax contributions are a key part of the positive social and economic impact made by business, and as such I'm encouraged to see Gateshead Council take this important step to not only be transparent about its own tax affairs, but to use its influence to encourage social action and good tax practice across its supply chain."
The UK as a whole is estimated to lose around £17bn in corporation tax receipts every year as a result of multinational profit shifting alone. Aggressive tax avoidance negatively distorts national and local economies and reduces contributions that support vital public services on which we all rely.
Mary Patel, Networks Manager at the Fair Tax Foundation said: "We're delighted to see Gateshead Council standing up for responsible tax conduct by supporting the Councils for Fair Tax Declaration.
"Together with our Fair Tax Councils, we are calling on the UK Government to change the rules so local councils and other public bodies can reward supplier businesses that pay tax fairly and transparently. Alongside this, it's vital that Government presses ahead with planned reforms to the UK's corporate registration service, to drive down fraud and dirty money and enable a more trusted and efficient business marketplace to evolve."
Pictured left to right: Councillor Ron Beadle, Councillor Jonathan Wallace, Councillor Martin Gannon and Councillor Gary Haley on the Gateshead Millennium Bridge
