As quoted in @TimesBusiness, we find it unnerving that Amazon now sits on the CBI's Tax Committee, esp when the CBI have a position of blanket opposition to the Digital Services Tax. https://twitter.com/fletcherr/status/1324831548592607239?s=20

Add to this EY’s involvement – who figured prominently as enablers of tax avoidance in the Paradise Papers data leak – and we are left with some big questions as to the balance of this Committee.

Not so long ago the CBI opposed much needed measures to counter illicit financial flows, such as the introduction of public registers of company beneficial ownership. This must not happen again.

We need the CBI to be a progressive voice on responsible tax conduct, especially when the public purse is under such stress due to the coronavirus crisis.

To add insult to injury. This comes on top of the discovery last month that Amazon is now central to the UK Government's consideration of post-Brexit procurement rules - via a secret advisory panel for which no minutes or ToR. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/amazon-secret-government-panel-helping-22904790

We are rapidly closing in on a day when we wake up to discover that Amazon operate the bulk of the UK’s procurement systems, right down to the pens, pencils and paper used in our schools and local council offices.

It cannot be right that Amazon should profit in such a manner given that they are growing their market domination across the globe on the back of income that is largely untaxed – allowing them to unfairly undercut local businesses that take a more responsible approach.