Tax Justice Bus stops off in Hull
A BUS driving a UK-wide campaign for tax justice has stopped off in Hull.
The double decker bus visit was organised by Christian Aid and Church Action on Poverty to highlight how global tax- dodging is hurting the poor around the world.
The Tax Justice Bus pulled into the Endsleigh Centre in Beverley High Road, Hull, on day 47 of its 53-day tour of the UK and Ireland.
Sylvia Usher, of west Hull, who was the local organiser from Christian Aid, said: "The aim is to show that individuals can make a difference and have an impact.
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"We pay our taxes, so why shouldn't the big multi-national businesses?
"We have a vote and I would urge people to contact their local MP. There is a big G8 meeting coming up next year in which the world's biggest leaders will be in Britain.
"We have an influence on the agenda and need to make sure our MPs know this is what we want to be discussed."
Dozens of people from all over East Yorkshire attended the meeting, which included talks by Dr Dereje Alemayehu, chair of the Tax Justice Network Africa, and Graham Martin, a campaigner with York Welfare Campaign and Church Action on Poverty.
Among the guests was the Bishop of Hull, the Right Reverend Richard Frith.
He said: "The statistics speak for them self. Tax justice is very important. There is no kudos in tax evasion.
"Local people can make a difference."
The organisers says tax- dodging is an injustice that keeps some people poor while others get richer.
Paul Brannen, of Christian Aid, said: "We estimate that tax- dodging by some unscrupulous multinational companies costs developing countries at least £100bn a year – that's one-and-a- half times the total global aid budget.
"It's money that could be used to make huge improvements to public services, such as healthcare and education, better enabling people to sustain themselves.
"By making changes to the tax system, people across the world can live healthier, happier and less hungry lives."
Christian Aid and Church Action on Poverty think the system must be changed and that Prime Minister should use his global leadership to end financial secrecy, so tax-dodgers have nowhere to hide.
A spokesman from Christian Aid said: "It robs countries of the taxes they are owed, money that could be spent on essential services such as health, education and welfare."
Both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have condemned aggressive tax avoidance as morally wrong.
Niall Cooper, of Church Action on Poverty, said: "At a time when spending cuts are having a devastating impact on the UK's poorest people and communities, tax dodging is morally unacceptable.
"If the Government just collected the £35bn of tax they know is going uncollected, they could invest properly in tackling UK poverty."
The Tax Justice Bus will be making more than 100 stops from Falmouth to Dover with thousands of politicians, church leaders campaigners and members of the public stepping aboard to show their support for an end to tax-dodging.
Comments
by Redjin
Friday, October 12 2012, 11:42PM
“Tax justice? I wish I had known!
Of the 16 years I have been of working age, I have been over taxed every single year.
Initially, they automatically sent me a cheque at the end of the tax year, Now you have to physically request it or they keep schtum hoping the 5 year cut off lapses and you cannot claim it back.
Admittedly the most recent 2 years I have been on the correct tax code finally but, I was made redundant 5 weeks ago. I put a claim in for jsa and 5 weeks later I still have not had a payment. I have been put on their priority call list twice and have still heard nothing.
They are quick enough to take your tax from you in abundance but when you need it back they leave you high and dry.
Frustratingly, I do not want to be on the dole, I want a job. I have to stand in a queue with dirty, ****ed up, stinking druggies and they are getting benefit whilst I am bending over backwards to find employment and getting nothing.
Either the system is corrupt or the place is full of incompetent ****s. If it is the latter, I am currently seeking employment and willing to offer my services.
I fully understand now why the furniture used to be bolted to the floor.”
by steveodore
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 8:54PM
“Maybe the Jewish retirement home on Anlaby Road that is threatened with closure could ask that rich Philip Green to part with a few shekels.
Companies in the UK that allegedly avoid their tax responsibilities such as Arcadia and Vodaphone should have their licence to trade here removed.
Oy Vey.”
by IllaGhee1
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 12:11PM
“Sorry but to hell with the rest of the world and their tax problems we are already up the creek without a paddle why give a flying F about the rest of the world its like asking a person with no legs to do the moonwalk we aint in a position to be helping the rest of the world when we cant even help ourselves.”
by David_Nivea
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 10:27AM
“Extremely amusing that until April this year, the Church of England, with £billions in assets, was exempt from VAT.
Nonsense, as usual”
by NaFili
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 10:07AM
“If tax dodging is a problem for the major world economies it is a nightmare for smaller struggling states, where a handful of multinational giants can hold the country to ransom. One problem is that we are often unwitting investors in these firms through our pensions and savings plans. The whole scenario needs to be made transparent and the dodgers named and shamed.”
by arntdullinul
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 9:30AM
“Would be a lot more effective parked permanently outside number 11 Downing Street!”
by Prescotts_Cat
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 8:48AM
“I don't use companies like Topman owned by Acadia group / Philip Green. Or Vodafone due to the billions of tax they refuse to pay. I wish people would stop spending with these companies as it only means that the normal man in the street has to pay more tax to cover the missing owed taxes.”