Decision details

It was moved by Councillor Brodie-Browne, seconded by Councillor Dawson:

“This Council notes

(a)       widespread media reports that Starbucks has paid no corporation tax  in the UK, in the last three years despite last year having UK sales of £398m. Starbucks describe their UK business as "profitable" but paid nothing in corporation tax;

(b)       in comparison, the British company, Costa Coffee had sales of £377m and a corporation tax bill of £15m;

(c)        the widespread practice of multinational companies which minimise their exposure to UK taxation by manipulating their payments to   subsidiaries located in tax havens; and

(d)       that many small, local, independent coffee shops pay their taxes in full.

The Council expresses support for the many local businesses which make full and fair tax payments every year and urges the Government to continue to extend its programme of measures designed to make all companies pay fair taxation based upon genuine profit levels

The Council urges citizens of the Borough of Sefton to support those enterprises which fulfil basic duties of corporate social responsibility and pay a proper level of tax.”

Following debate thereon, on a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the Motion was carried by 50 votes to 10 with 1 abstention and it was

RESOLVED:

This Council notes

(a)       widespread media reports that Starbucks has paid no corporation tax  in the UK, in the last three years despite last year having UK sales of £398m. Starbucks describe their UK business as "profitable" but paid nothing in corporation tax;

(b)       in comparison, the British company, Costa Coffee had sales of £377m and a corporation tax bill of £15m;

(c)        the widespread practice of multinational companies which minimise their exposure to UK taxation by manipulating their payments to   subsidiaries located in tax havens; and

(d)       that many small, local, independent coffee shops pay their taxes in full.

The Council expresses support for the many local businesses which make full and fair tax payments every year and urges the Government to continue to extend its programme of measures designed to make all companies pay fair taxation based upon genuine profit levels

The Council urges citizens of the Borough of Sefton to support those enterprises which fulfil basic duties of corporate social responsibility and pay a proper level of tax.