Anti-cuts protest at Carlisle mobile store
Last updated at 12:15, Monday, 18 April 2011
Anti-cuts campaigners brought a national protest to the streets of Cumbria when they demonstrated outside the Carlisle branch of mobile phone giant Vodafone.
Protests have been held outside branches of Vodafone in recent months following allegations that the company has avoided paying a £6bn tax bill.
Campaigners argue that if such bills were paid then there would be no need for huge cuts in public services.
On Saturday, members of the Carlisle Socialist party were among a group of protesters outside the Scotch Street store waving placards and collecting signatures from shoppers for a petition against spending cuts.
The group’s secretary Brent Kennedy said: “This is an example of what the government is doing.
“Not a single penny of the £81bn of unfortunate or unnecessary cuts would be necessary if the big businesses and the rich paid the tax they should. We’ve presented staff with letters explaining that the action here is not personal against them – it is the bigger picture.”
Branches of Vodafone elsewhere in the country have been forced to close while demonstrations were held. Carlisle’s remained open.
A spokesman for Vodafone said: “As a responsible, UK-based company we pay all the taxes we’re required to in this country. In fact, we pay over £700 million into the UK coffers every year in tax, VAT, PAYE, national insurance and the fees we pay for our mobile phone spectrum.
“Vodafone has no unpaid tax bill. HM Revenue & Customs has branded the £6bn figure being used by protesters an ‘urban myth’.
“Last year Vodafone and HM Revenue & Customs agreed to settle matters surrounding their legal dispute over ‘controlled foreign companies’ law for £1.25bn, the largest corporate tax settlement in UK history, which we are paying.”
KEve@cngroup.co.uk
First published at 11:26, Monday, 18 April 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
How the hell do large companies get away with not paying millions in tax, and for so long?! Not too many months ago HMRC advised me that they had charged me £2000 too little on my salary in tx and that they required the payment immediately. It was only after I threatened court action that they agreed to give me 2months to pay their mistake back.
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It appears that the normal working classes of this country are the ones who always end up footing the bill. As one of the other posters pointed out, of course the wealthy do pay more tax, but its not fair proportionally. There are other issues that the average peron looses out on too that woldn't affect the rich as hard. It seems that Mr Cameron assumes we all have the same start in life as him and if we work hard we too could end up the primeminister, funny how the majority of the cabinet are multi millionnaires! They have no idea what it is like for the average person so they're implementing cuts here there and everywhere and in my opinion too fast. Those poor children that go to one of the special needs schools are loosing out as alot of their disability money is ceasing and they're cutting the finance that provides activities such as clubs it absolutely unbelievable. As I said last time this country has the worst level of social mobility in europe so putting up tuition fees will surely make it worse and yet again thoses who are fortunate to have parents that can provide for them its all roses. Regarding someones earlier comment about the green eyed monstor, things in this life are not fair and not equal. I do not dispute the fact that hard work pays, but theres alot to be said about the social class and circumstances of your parents! and some people inevitably have it easier than others!!
Posted by Elizabeth on 21 April 2011 at 12:46