Birmingham City Council commits to the Councils for Fair Tax Declaration
Birmingham City Council joins a growing movement of towns, cities and districts standing up for responsible tax conduct. Council leaders have agreed to approve the Councils for Fair Tax Declaration, making Birmingham the thirteenth local council in the UK to stand up for responsible tax conduct.
The announcement comes during Fair Tax Week, the UK-wide recognition of the companies and councils that are proud to promote responsible tax conduct and pay their fair share of tax.
Cllr Tristan Chatfield, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources at Birmingham City Council, said: “As an organisation with an annual budget in excess of £3billion it is important that we lead by example and sign up to the Councils for Fair Tax Declaration.
“Everyone needs to pay their fair share – especially as we begin to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic which has placed public spending under such intense pressure and the many challenges this presents for our essential frontline services.
“As a council we have to do our bit too. Through the Birmingham Business Charter for Social Responsibility, our adoption of the Real Living Wage back in 2012 and support for initiatives like Fairtrade, we have shown that we stand up for responsible conduct and hope that other organisations and individuals share those values for the greater good of the city. Fair tax is absolutely a part of this.”
Rachel Bentley, Associate Director at the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES), said: “We are really pleased to hear that Birmingham City Council is joining other pioneering local authorities in approving the Fair Tax Foundation’s Councils for Fair Tax Declaration. Everyone has a part to play in promoting responsible tax conduct but municipalities can use their considerable influence on contractors, asset-holders and suppliers to drive meaningful change.”
The Councils for Fair Tax Declaration commits UK cities, towns and districts to exemplary tax conduct in their own affairs, requiring greater transparency from suppliers and joining calls for more meaningful powers to tackle tax avoidance amongst supplier businesses.
Join our lunchtime webinar at 1pm Wednesday 9th June ‘Local areas standing up for fair tax’ to find out more about the importance of local areas backing fair tax practices, and how local councils and residents can take action now by supporting the Councils for Fair Tax Declaration.
Find out more about the Councils for Fair Tax Declaration including a sample motion. See which local councils have already approved the Declaration.
