It was formed less than six months ago, but the success of UK Uncut's non-violent, direct actions is inspiring similar protest movements. One of these, Take VAT, stages its first actions on Saturday.

Take VAT, which describes itself as a "UK Uncut-esque" action group, was formed last month to raise awareness of companies that avoid paying VAT.

These range from companies such as HMV and Tesco, which use a VAT loophole to sell CDs and DVDs VAT-free from the Channel Islands, to airlines. No VAT is charged on aviation fuel or flights from airports within the EU.

"Everyone in Britain, from the poorest pensioner to the richest banker, should now be paying VAT on products at 20%," said Cameron, a spokesman for Take VAT. "Yet the biggest companies are getting away with paying nothing. That avoidance is costing the public millions."

As with UK Uncut, Take VAT is a network of autonomous actions – one group announces an action in one location, then others plan their own across the country. There are actions planned in London and Leeds for Saturday.

In London, people have been told to meet at Bank and Green Park underground stations at 10.30am and to look for the Take VAT flag. In Leeds, activists will meet outside the Corn Exchange at the same time.

Cameron said: "We're not going to go into details of our targets, but I can say we'll be targeting some well-known, household names. There are loads of companies that are avoiding VAT – Tesco and HMV for example. The aviation industry pays no VAT at all."

The London group includes people with previous protest experience, and those inspired by other direct actions. They range in age from teenagers to those in their fifties.

Bob, a spokesman for UK Uncut, said: "It's great people are taking a stand on this – like the rest of David Cameron's austerity agenda, the VAT rise will hit the poorest and most vulnerable hardest."