Tax Avoidance: The Hidden Cost
BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 4 LW: 23rd Apr 8pm - 8:40pm
Repeat: BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 4 LW, 5pm Sun 28 Apr
BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 4 LWRightful indignation was unleashed when it became clear how little tax corporate giants such as Google, Starbucks and Amazon pay on their global operations. This strong piece of investigative journalism from Michael Robinson assesses the chances that world leaders really have of cutting on corporate tax avoidance.
Michael Robinson highlights the hidden benefits of aggressive tax avoidance for large multinational companies, in light of recent revelations about the financial tricks reported to have been employed by firms such as Google, Starbucks and Amazon. He reveals how, by shifting their profits to low-tax countries, global businesses gain a competitive edge over nationally based counterparts, who as a result face tighter margins. Michael assesses the impact of these tactics on local economies, and speculates whether measures put in place by the G8 summit could reverse the trend.
Presenter Michael RobinsonCrew
Producer Neal Razzell
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