April 27th, 2020

27/4/2020

Our Letter in The Times

This morning The Times newspaper printed a letter we had drafted calling on the government to pursue a fairer tax regime in light of the covid-19 epidemic. The original text of the letter and its signatories are reproduced here:

We welcome the decisions of the Danish, Polish and French governments to refuse corporate bailouts for corporations registered in tax havens. The current crisis has shown the importance of our health and social security systems – and the taxes that pay for them year in and year out.

However, many of the most vulnerable people in our society are paying the price for a health and welfare system woefully unprepared for an epidemic. Meanwhile, some large corporations continue to avoid responsibility, making huge profits yet hiding their wealth in tax havens.

Over 80% of the British public believe that legal tax avoidance is morally wrong. This crisis demonstrates why they are right.

Today at least $8tn sits offshore, with its wealthy owners hiding from their tax and social responsibilities. Developing countries, who face problems from COVID-19 on a scale unimaginable in the richer nations, are deprived up to $400bn every year by tax avoidance.

When the pandemic ends we cannot go back to business as usual. If we are to build an economic system which prioritises the wellbeing of people and the planet then a fair tax system where all, including powerful corporations and wealthy individuals, pay their fair share is essential.

Specifically, this means that wages and working conditions are just and that we have a tax system in which big corporations and wealthy individuals can no longer dodge the taxes they should have paid.

We call on our Government to foster such a fair tax system that no longer only favours the excessive individual and corporate wealth of some, but serves the common good of all.

Signatories:
Lord Rowan Williams – former Archbishop of Canterbury
Lord Richard Harries – former Bishop of Oxford
Revd Dr Barbara Glasson, President of the Methodist Conference
Rev. David Mayne - Moderator, the Baptist Union Council
Paul Parker – Recording Clerk, Quakers in Britain
Mr Derek Estill, Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church
Revd Nigel Uden, Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church
David Haslam, Chair, Church Action for Tax Justice

The letter has been picked up and commented on by the following news outlets:
The Times
The Guardian
AllUSANews
ExecReview
NewsRust

6 Comments

Malcolm Copeman

30/4/2020 08:08:23

Out of interest I wonder how the signatories of the letter feel about churches using the government furlough scheme. The intention behind this was to support business through the next period where revenue will dry up because of the reduced activity and keep people employed. My local Anglican church has furloughed six members of staff when there has been no significant fall in giving. Presumably a way to save money at tax payers’ expense. Irrespective of where the parent company of these companies is located they still create jobs with the associated income tax and national insurance. We can all debate the rights and wrongs of what these companies do (and I agree tax avoidance should be reduced) but I think the church should quickly get its own house in order. Claiming tax payer support for its own activities at a time of national crisis is, in my view, immoral and I will be voting with my feet.

Justin Thacker (CATJ) link

30/4/2020 09:24:15

Dear Malcolm,
I cannot comment for the other signatories but I would agree with you that if there is no loss of income then I do not think any organisation should be applying for furlough. However, given that so many people have lost income I would expect that most churches have in fact seen a decrease. If that is the case, then it would be appropriate for them to access the furlough scheme just like anyone else. So the key question is whether or not your church has actually seen a reduction in income. Best wishes

mark bressington

1/5/2020 13:43:24

I could not agree more with you, practice what you preach is the message

dave macready

1/5/2020 12:05:45

I have been an atheist for most of my 74 years but respect the valuable work many religious organizations do (and deplore the extremists of course)

Surely it is better that churches have claimed cash immediately to help their staff? They had no way of knowing how their funds would be in the crisis. I am sure, when it all shakes down churches wil; 'fess up' if they have a net surplus?

I am also VERY much in favour of fair taxes and in fact would like to see a decent level of Universal Income world wide. Has anyone done the numbers for this?

Dave Northampton uk.

John Wilkins

1/5/2020 14:28:09

Again as an atheist myself I still support the comments of these clergy. It is a case of 'don't shoot the messenger'. This Government would like to suppress freedom of expression in general and have told senior clergy to 'keep their noses' out of politics previously.
I do agree however that there is a fine line for them to tread, but they are looking after the poorest in society in this most unequal nation.

Quentin

15/5/2020 23:49:18

Churches are right - indeed are obliged - to state a case for and to make their voices heard about this important matter, because it is in league with the words and expectations of their Founder and Sponsor, who still to this day hasn't altered His message of: "Then give to God what belongs to God, and give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar."

April 27th, 2020

Our Letter in The Times

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