Organisations and individuals committed to transparency and fighting poverty call on the UK government to clamp down on tax havens

As organisations and individuals committed to transparency and standing up for the rights of the world’s poorest people, we urge the UK government to accept an amendment to the sanctions and anti-money laundering bill on Tuesday that would lift the veil of secrecy in Britain’s overseas territories.

Requiring them to publish public registers of company ownership by the end of 2020 would help tackle corruption and tax avoidance, and thereby help transform the lives of people in poverty (IMF to target City as part of crackdown on dirty money, 23 April).

Tax havens are estimated to cost developing countries $170bn in revenue every year. Greater transparency would help these countries claim their fair share of revenue, money they can then use to pay for public services. It is the poorest women and girls who most often miss out on medical care or the chance to go to school.

Five years ago, hundreds of thousands of people around the UK joined more than 100 charities to call for tax transparency from the UK and its overseas territories, a call accepted by the then prime minister. Tackling tax avoidance is a cause that has been championed by successive governments – including this one – and backed by MPs from all parties.

Yet while the UK has pressed ahead with transparency measures, the UK’s tax havens have held out. It’s time for ministers to finish the job.



Girish Menon CEO, ActionAid UK

Vladimir Ashurkov Executive director, Anti-Corruption Foundation (Russia)

Prof Prem Sikka Director, Association for Accountancy and Business Affairs

Graham Gordon Head of public policy, Cafod

Faiza Shaheen Director, Centre for Labour & Social Studies

Christine Allen Director of policy and public affairs, Christian Aid

Reverend David Haslam Chair, Church Action for Tax Justice

Roman Borisovich Secretary, ClampK

Andrew Feinstein Executive director, Corruption Watch UK

Dr Wanda Wyporska Executive director, Equality Trust

Paul Monaghan Chief executive, Fair Tax Mark

Shauna Leven Director of corruption campaigns, Global Witness

Jolyon Maugham QC

Romilly Greenhill UK director, One Campaign

Chris Taggart CEO, OpenCorporates

Zosia Sztykowski Project lead, OpenOwnership

Matthew Spencer Director of campaigns, Oxfam

James Royston Regional Coordinator, Publish What You Pay-International Secretariat

Peter Holbrook CEO, Social Enterprise UK

Alex Cobham Chief executive, Tax Justice Network

Robert Palmer Executive director, Tax Justice UK

Prof Richard Murphy Director, Tax Research UK

Duncan Hames Director of policy, Transparency International UK

Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson Director, UK Women’s Budget Group

Liz McKean Director of campaigns and policy, War on Want

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