Jan 30

In January 2016, in partnership with Christian Aid, we launched the Sourced campaign … and we won!

Blogs

What’s the campaign about? Sourced is about using ‘sourcing’ processes – where local councils choose which businesses to use for goods and services – to encourage fair tax practices. What do local councils have to do with fair tax? Councils in England alone spend £45 billion a year buying goods and services from companies. They choose who gets the contracts, which means they’re a powerful force to encourage fair tax practices. They can tell businesses how they should behave – and make sure the money goes to those doing the right thing. That’s why, with the support of the Joffe…

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Dec 13
View of Edunburgh

Q&A with Crunchers Edinburgh

Blogs

Crunchers Edinburgh is a Scottish accountancy practice specialising in small businesses. We talk to Director Hamish Sheppard about why they gained the Fair Tax Mark… What made you apply for the FTM? I think there’s a real groundswell of opinion away from businesses trying to get an artificially low tax bill, and instead, people are realising there’s a moral obligation to get their tax right. The Fair Tax Mark seemed like a positive solution to this, providing an incentive for companies who want to do the right thing. I heard about the Mark through Crunchers South London which accredited a couple…

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Oct 11
Staff outside Unicorn Grocery

Q&A with Unicorn Grocery

Blogs

Unicorn Grocery is Manchester’s foremost co-operative grocery business, selling a wide range of affordable, fresh and wholesome food. They were named the Soil Association’s Best Independent Retailer of 2016 and are proud to have added the Fair Tax Mark to their awards. On why they applied for the Fair Tax Mark We applied for the Mark because we are committed to paying our fair share of tax. It feels quite strange applying to be accredited for something that’s so obviously the right and honest thing to do, but unfortunately that doesn’t mean it always happens. We hope that in the…

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Sep 06
Damion Viney, Crunchers South London

Q&A with Crunchers South London

Blogs

Crunchers South London were the first accountancy practice to achieve the Fair Tax Mark. We talk to their director Damion Viney about why they chose to get the Fair Tax Mark. What made you apply for the Fair Tax Mark? As an accountant, I’m highly aware of the importance of taxation. I’d been following the various ethical issues around it for a while, including reading Nicholas Shaxson’s acclaimed book, Treasure Islands, and I had become very concerned. I thought there was a great need for a tax-related equivalent of the Fairtrade Mark: a clear cut way for companies to say…

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Sep 06
Steph Gray, Managing Director, Helpful Technology

Q&A with Helpful Technology

Blogs

Helpful Technology is a digital development company, working with a wide range of clients across the public sector and private businesses. We talk to Managing Director Steph Gray about why applied for the Fair Tax Mark. Why did you apply for the Fair Tax Mark? I heard of the Fair Tax Mark through one of our suppliers, Bytemark Hosting and thought it sounded like a great way to demonstrate transparency and support for the idea that businesses paying their share of tax is a good thing for society. Since I set up the firm, I’ve tried to establish a set of…

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Jun 28

Q&A with The 8th Day

Blogs

The 8th Day is one of Manchester’s longest running worker co-operatives. Since the 1970s, it’s been providing quality food and goods. Its growing business now includes a well-loved cafe and events programme. Why did you apply for the Fair Tax Mark? We applied for the mark because as a business that makes an effort to trade in a more ethical way, we have a commitment to set a good example with our business practices and this includes being open and transparent about our tax affairs. What benefits do you believe having the Fair Tax Mark will bring your business? It’s very…

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Mar 03
The Ecology Building Society offices

Q&A with Ecology Building Society

Blogs

We talk to the first building society to gain the fair tax mark, Ecology Building Society, about why they chose to get the Fair Tax Mark Why did you apply for the Fair Tax Mark? While tax remains a controversial area for many, Ecology Building Society are proud to be the first building society awarded the Fair Tax Mark, which sets a benchmark for responsible tax behaviour. What are the benefits of it for your business? We’re delighted to be able to offer the first Fair Tax Mark accredited range of personal savings accounts which now means that ethically minded…

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Nov 27
The Co-operative Group receive their accreditation

Q&A with the Co-operative Group

Blogs

The Co-operative Group is the latest business to be Fair Tax Mark accredited. We talked to them about why they committed to be a Fair Tax Mark business  Why did you apply for the Fair Tax Mark? The Co-operative Group applied for the Fair Tax Mark as it felt like a natural fit for how the Group approaches its tax affairs. The Group is proud to have achieved the high standards set by the Fair Tax Mark. The Mark provides the Group and the stakeholders of the Group with a robust and independent verification of how well we explain our…

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Oct 27
Marshalls logo

Q&A with Marshalls

Blogs

Marshalls is a complete external landscaping, interior design, paving and flooring products business Why did you apply for the Fair Tax Mark? We viewed the Fair Tax Mark scheme as a natural step for Marshalls as the Group’s tax philosophy has long been closely aligned with the Fair Tax Mark’s objectives. We aim to achieve transparency and we hope the Group’s formalisation of a tax policy will reassure all our stakeholders that we are a responsible company. What are the benefits of it for your business? The Fair Tax Mark criteria are in line with the Group’s desire to maintain…

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