Published on 17 June 2021
After over 12 years of campaigning to make sure big companies pay their fair share of tax, finance ministers from the G7 countries came to a historic deal which will see multinational companies pay at least a 15% tax rate on their profits in the countries where they operate. This is a monumental step forward in our fight for tax justice.
Let’s take a look back at how you helped to win this change
Year after year, you have stood up for tax justice and kept the pressure on, calling for greater transparency, and demanding legislation to ensure that tax dodging companies have nowhere to hide. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights.
In 2011, you took the campaign to four companies in the FTSE 100 — calling on them to lead the way in tax transparency. Stunts around the country (like this one outside the Holiday Inn in London) opened doors and discussions in company headquarters to help us push positive tax policy at a higher level.
In 2012, Savior Mwamba from Zambia joined us on the Tax Justice Bus Tour to explain to church groups and politicians across the UK how tax dodging is driving poverty everywhere - both in developing countries and in the UK
The Tax Justice Bus toured the UK for 53 days attracting media coverage and gaining support from MPs, with some even starting their own tax campaigns.
In 2013 tax became a prominent feature of the ‘IF’ campaign when we persuaded the UK then-Prime Minister David Cameron and G8 leaders to clamp down on secrecy in tax havens.
Together we created the Isle of Shady on London’s Southbank, drawing attention to the billions of US dollars Africa loses to tax dodging each year.
In 2014, following announcements to crack down on tax dodging at the G8 summit, you took part in our ‘Phantom Firms’ campaign with over 20,000 of you writing to then Business Secretary Vince Cable persuading him to take action on the secrecy of UK company ownership.
Here our Russian doll businessmen appear outside the Liberal Democrat party conference, to highlight how companies can hide their identity within shell companies, one within another, within another.
We're continuing to advocate for tax justice, working with our partners around the world as part of the tax justice network helping to bring about this historic deal at the G7.
We're continuing to advocate for tax justice, working with our partners around the world as part of the Global Alliance for Tax Justice, helping to bring about this historic deal at the G7.
It might not be everything we’ve campaigned for, or come about as fast as we’d like, but without all your tireless campaigning this change may never have happened.
It's a reminder that although campaigning can be a long game, change will come if you persist.
And what does this historic deal mean for our global neighbours?
The additional tax raised by governments in poorer countries could be used to provide essential services such as clean water, healthcare, education , which can be the difference between life and death.
However, the 15% is already too low – experts have long called for at least 25%, and it’s unclear how many companies will be required to pay. So until all the details are agreed, tax campaigners will remain vigilant.
A final agreement is expected to be made at the G20 summit in Rome in October, but Christian Aid colleagues will be busy advocating for a robust agreement in the meantime. We’ll keep you posted.