Ban bailouts for tax avoiders, says MSP
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Rhoda Grant is urging people across the region to add their name to a new petition opposing bailouts for businesses who avoid tax.
The list MSP, whose Highlands and Islands constituency includes Moray, is urging the Scottish Government to make sure that, in the future, tax avoiders cannot benefit from a public purse that they haven’t paid into.
Commenting on the campaign, Rhoda Grant MSP said: "After this crisis is over we must rebuild and reform Scotland’s economy.
"We cannot go back to ‘business as usual’ after Covid-19.
"The Scottish Government should send a clear message that the days of the state bankrolling tax-dodging companies at the expense of the domestic economy are over.
"By only providing support to companies that pay appropriate levels of tax, the Scottish Government can ensure that the money to support Scotland's economy stays in Scotland.
"Too many multinational companies avoid paying their fair share by fudging where their profits were really made."
Ms Grant, who represents Labour, says that only businesses who have the Fair Tax Mark should be eligible for state aid.
To achieve this mark, they must publish a binding tax policy which explicitly shuns profit-shifting, tax avoidance and the use of tax haven.
Secondly, they must ensure that the annual consolidated profit/loss of the parent company is publicly available, together with details of the associated corporate tax payments (total, current and deferred). Multi-national companies should do this on a country-by-country basis.
Finally, they should make clear who the ultimate owners of the business are, as well as state the details of all those who exert significant control.
Ms Grant said: "The Labour Government in Wales are leading by example on this and have ruled out any of its £500m Economic Resilience Fund, which has been put in place to help businesses, charities and social enterprises, will be granted to businesses registered in tax haven who don’t pay their fair share."
The petition can be found here.
Read news from Moray here
