Briefing:Campaign Briefing : Fair Tax From: benwest For attention of: Council Candidates, Labour & Co-operative Councillors Published: 20th April 2017 Last updated: 7th December 2017 Printed: 23rd April 2024 Other formats: Print Key Points: The Co-operative Party believes that the economy should work for the benefit of us all, rather than private profit alone. That includes recognising companies who pay their fair share of tax. The FairTax Mark identifies those businesses that pay their fair share from those who do not. It’s been dubbed the ‘new Fairtrade’ as the latest standard for ethically-minded consumer. The Co-operative Party was the first political party to achieve the Fairtax Mark in April 2016. Labour & Co-operative Councillors won a change in government procurement guidance for councils, so that a company’s tax record must be considered. Time for action on tax : Use of tax havens, and tax avoidance means that the very wealthy can often pay less tax than working people. Britain’s top 5 co-operatives pay more UK tax than Amazon, Facebook, Apple, eBay and Starbuck combined Things councils can do on tax ContentsKey Points:Time for action on tax :Things councils can do on tax Fair Tax Motions Many local Labour & Co-operative Councillors have passed motions supporting the Fair Tax mark and making substantive changes to their procurement procedures to recognise those companies that are fair and transparent about their tax arrangements. This resulted in Government changes in procurement that must now be followed by all councils. Find out more Scrutiny Review Councillors in Manchester carried out a scrutiny review looking at the issue of tax avoidance and the role and influence the council could play in tackling it. Learn more Action Points Pledge to support Fairtax in your council. Make sure your council is following the Government’s new requirement on all councils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland which stipulates that they must question potential suppliers on any recent history of tax evasion and avoidance. Use the Fairtax Mark map to highlight and support those businesses already committed to FairTax For more information Emma Hoddinott Resources Co-op councillors demand suppliers pay their fair share of tax3rd August 2016 Emma Hoddinott Co-operative Party first political party to be awarded Fair Tax Mark14th April 2016 Claire McCarthy Fair Tax Mark