Taking on the tax dodgers...

[max_tranmere]

A lot of stuff in the media today about Starbucks and their tax dodging, and how the Government are keen this does not continue. As far as I know they don't give any money to the Tory party. Phillip Green, owner of Top Shop and others, is also a tax avoider on a massive scale yet he gives lots of money to the Tory party. We don't hear anything about how the Government are keen that he pays all his taxes. Interesting, isn't it?

[spider]

I might be wrong but I don't think Philip Green "owns" Top Shop.

I think he says his Missus owns Top Shop, and she just happens to live in Monaco.

Always good for a laugh these tax dodgers. Jimmy Carr proved that.

[RoddersUK]

But Jimmy Carr is an unfunny bastard.

[spider]

True, but I had a laugh when he was caught trying to wriggle-out of paying tax.

[David Johnson]

"A lot of stuff in the media today about Starbucks and their tax dodging, and how the Government are keen this does not continue"

A lot of this is just government spin, irrespective of which government is in power, designed to con the electorate that they are doing something.

In short, none of the tax avoidance ploys carried out by the likes of Google, Amazon and Starbucks are illegal. If it hadnt been for the likes of UK Uncut etc. stirring this up you would have heard nothing.

The UK government has three actions to follow:

1. Try to close the loopholes used but this may require agreement from the foreign countries which are used as part of the ploys.

2. Carry out boycotts of any companies which the governmment makes purchases from.

3. Close the new loopholes which will open as soon as the existing loopholes are closed.

In addition, the great British public who generally seem only too happy when corporate BRitain has its cock up their arse, should stop buying goods from Amazon, Starbucks etc. until they change.

[Arginald Valleywater]

Starbuck's are back peddling since people have been avoiding their stores....more commercial reasons than actually wanting to pay tax.....but at least they are talking to the 'Revenue unlike some far worse offenders...

[Arginald Valleywater]

My colleagues are currently boycotting Starbucks so they are suddenly richer themselves by not paying ?2 or more for crap coffee!

[David Johnson]

I use an independent coffee shop if poss, if not, Costa Coffee. Apparently they pay their fair(ish) whack of tax.

Was in London a couple of weeks ago just after the Starbucks story broke and every Starbucks I passed was chock a block. Unbelievable!

[David Johnson]

I have never used Amazon. No particular reason other than I prefer to nip into Waterstone's, have a browse, feel the book, sit down for a coffee and maybe have a read. Buy the book from Waterstones. I don't mind paying extra to be honest, if I have to. Now I know what Amazon are up to, I won't ever use them, bastards until they start toeing the line.

It's going to be a grim old High Street if all we are left with is charity shops and coffee houses and huge out of town supermarkets.