Fair Tax Fortnight 2018 was a UK-wide celebration of the companies and organisations that are proud to pay their fair share of corporation tax, and an exploration of the positive contribution this makes to society.
Fair Tax Fortnight was developed by the Fair Tax Mark, with kind support from the Friends Provident Foundation and the Joffe Charitable Trust.
For Fair Tax Fortnight 2018 we produced a series of videos interviewing Fair Tax champions. You can watch them all here.
Below you can see all of the events that took place during Fair Tax Fortnight 2018.
7 June, 9.30am-5pm
Human Rights Action Centre, London
Fair Tax Fortnight will open with a marquee Fair Tax Conference. This will feature leaders from business, academia, politics and campaigning – who will explore key topics such as responsible tax planning, how to tackle tax avoidance and the case for Corporation Tax. There will also be a range of engaging workshops that will provide access to cutting-edge practitioners and thought-leaders.
4 June, 6:30–9pm
Central Hall Westminster, Storey’s Gate, SW1H 9NH
Ahead of Fair Tax Fortnight, Church Action for Tax Justice, which launched last month, will be showing the award winning documentary Spider’s Web. After, there’s a chance to ask the producers of the film about their experiences and thoughts on the film and its conclusions.
Free entry – please sign up here.
6 June
The Fair Tax Mark has released the latest polling of UK public attitudes towards a range of fair tax issues, including responsible tax planning, government procurement, auditor independence and mandatory disclosure. Read the full story here.
9 June
With over 2,000 stores across the UK and Ireland, Timpson Group has become the latest major retailer to secure the Fair Tax Mark. The family-owned and run business also includes Johnsons the Cleaners, Snappy Snaps, Jeeves of Belgravia and Max Spielmann.
Read the full story here.
APPG on Responsible Taxation: Why does tax matter for equality between women and men?
12 June, 2pm
The Wilson Room, Portcullis House, London
During Fair Tax Fortnight, the Women’s Business Group are holding an event at the Houses of Parliament to discuss the question “Why does tax matter for equality between women and men?” A fair tax system is critical to ensuring gender equality and tackling poverty. Tax policy enables governments to influence the economy in ways that may impact differently on men and women because of differences in their economic position, caring responsibilities and decision-making power.
Find out more on the Women’s Business Group website.
13 June
Wild Things Drama was established in 2010 to teach drama, singing and musical theatre dance to children and young people aged 3–18. The company runs drama schools in Oldham, Saddleworth and central Manchester, and employs twelve staff across Greater Manchester.
Read the full story here.
13 June, 8–9am
Pot Kettle Black, Manchester
Women in Tax will be holding their next breakfast event in a new venue – Pot Kettle Black in the beautiful Barton Arcade. The Co-op is proud to hold the Fair Tax Mark and to celebrate the first Fair Tax Fortnight they will have one of their Non-Exec Directors, Joanna Long joining the meeting.
If you are interested in joining the Women in Tax group for the meeting, please email Lisa O’Hare.
13 June
Officials, MPs and Lords today met in the Houses of Parliament to discuss the Fair Tax Mark and celebrate Fair Tax Fortnight and the Co-operative Party’s re-certification.
14 June, 10.15am–midday
The Federation, Manchester
The Co-operative Group will be hosting a roundtable discussion for social enterprises and co-operatives that will explore the need for leadership on responsible tax planning, with the Co-op’s Head of Tax, Lisa O’Hare opening discussions. The event will be chaired by Rob Harrison of Ethical Consumer.
All businesses with an interest in the subject are welcome – contact Sam at the Fair Tax Mark to book your place.
14 June, from 2pm
Eighth Day, 111 Oxford Rd, Manchester, M1 7DU
The Eighth Day shop and cafe in Manchester, who gained the Fair Tax Mark a year ago, will be holding an open event to talk to customers about the Fair Tax Mark and the reasons why they signed up. All are welcome – and you might even get a free mug!
17 June
Nationwide
Church Action for Tax Justice is encouraging churches nationwide to declare June 17 as Tax Justice Sunday. Worship materials such a hymns, prayers, bible studies and a creed are available on the CAT website. It also urges churches as investors to question the tax policies of companies in which they invest. Read more about the launch on the Christian Today website.
18 June, 11.30am–1.30pm
Christian Aid, 35-41 Lower Marsh, London, SE1 7RL
Christian Aid will be hosting a roundtable discussion that will explore how the public sector can take a substantive stance against business that evade and avoid tax. Barrister, David Quentin, will open discussions with an opinion on what is permissible in the area of procurement. All organisations with an interest in progressing the issue are welcome – contact Paul at the Fair Tax Mark to book your place.
19 June, 10am–midday
The Foundry, 17 Oval Way, London SE11 5RR
Tax can have a substantial impact on gender equality – from explicit biases in tax systems to implicit biases in services across society that are paid for with those taxes. The Fair Tax Mark has organised a roundtable discussion with contributions from Wanda Wyporska, Executive Director at the Equality Trust, and Sue Himmelweit, from the Women’s Budget Group, and 2009 president of the International Association for Feminist Economics will open the discussion, with Sam Al-Hamdani from the Fair Tax Mark.
Spaces are limited. Contact Sam at the Fair Tax Mark to book your place.
19 June, 1pm
Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh EH99 1SP
Rhoda Grant MSP, on behalf of the Scottish Co-operative Party Group of MSPs, has organised a parliamentary lunch for MSPs to hear the case for companies paying their way by paying tax at the appropriate rate in the appropriate jurisdiction. Speakers include Harry Cairney, President of Scotmid Co-operative; Rachel McEwen, Director of Sustainability at SSE & Paul Monaghan from the Fair Tax Mark. Places are limited but if you are interested in attending please email scotland@party.coop
19 June, 6.30pm (7.00 start)
Dina, Sheffield
As part of Fair Tax Fortnight, we’ll be showing a free screening of The Spider’s Web, Britain’s Second Empire, a documentary investigation into the world of Britain’s secrecy jurisdictions and the City of London.
The showing will take place at Dina in Sheffield, and there will be a a Q&A afterwards with a Fair Tax Mark representative. Doors open at 6.30 for a 7pm showing.
20 June
89 Albany Rd, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 0BN
Unicorn Grocery, the ethical co-operative superstore will be holding an awareness day of the Fair Tax Mark in store, and on their Facebook page. Find out more about Unicorn and how the Fair Tax Mark fits with their values.
22 June
The TUC has gained the Fair Tax Mark accreditation as part of its commitment to enhanced financial transparency, which has also seen the organisation publish a new Tax Policy that sets out its commitment to shun the artificial use of tax havens and contrived tax avoidance practices.
22 June
Earl Shilton Building Society – founded over 160 years ago – has achieved the Fair Tax Mark. Neil Adams, Finance Director of Earl Shilton Building Society, said: “Earl Shilton Building Society has always paid its fair share of tax and considers that taxation in all its forms is an important contribution to the wider community and society in general.
23 June
Ethical Screening Ltd and Ethical Investors Ltd announced that they have joined the growing list of organisations that have achieved the Fair Tax Mark. Michael Head, Managing Director of Ethical Screening, said: “Our message to other businesses would be: why wouldn’t you? We will be displaying our Fair Tax Mark with pride.”
23 June
As part of Fair Tax Fortnight, and marking the start of Co-operatives Fortnight, Co-operatives UK will be making a fair tax announcement.
23 June
Convivio, a digital strategy team specialising in work for public services, have announced that they are joining a growing list of organisations that have achieved the Fair Tax Mark. Steve Parks, chief executive, Convivio, said: “Paying fair taxes isn’t just about being good. True entrepreneurs will realise it is enlightened self-interest.”
Tax Week 2020 will take place on 13-21 June. If you are interested in doing an event during Fair Tax Week, just let us know, using the event form to the right. We will then be in touch to discuss how we can support your event.
