GMB union slams Amazon over ‘tax loopholes’

The GMB, TUC and members of the shadow cabinet will protest outside Amazon’s Shoreditch, London office today about the e-commerce giant’s UK tax affairs.

Speakers will include GMB General Secretary Tim Roache, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady and Shadow Minister for Employment Laura Pidcock.

The GMB union reckons Amazon should have paid £103 million corporation tax last year, which would rise to £142 million under Labour’s plans to raise corporation tax to 26%. Amazon has not disclosed how much UK corporation tax it pays, but its biggest UK arm which discloses its accounts paid £14 million on £2.3 billion worth of sales.

“Amazon’s tax loopholes and massive subsidies means our public services get a rough deal. Cash that could be used for thousands of carers, nurses or teaching assistants is being poured into Jeff Bezos’s coffers,” says Mick Rix, GMB National Officer.

“This is a trillion dollar company, and the government should be ensuring our underfunded public services are not being short changed by a global wealth giant We’re telling Amazon that it’s time to get round the table with GMB, discuss ways to make their workplaces safer and to be a good neighbour and pay their taxes. My phone is on. They can call anytime.”

Amazon did not respond to our request for comment.