HMRC and Google (Settlement) Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

HMRC and Google (Settlement)

Nic Dakin Excerpts
Monday 25th January 2016

(8 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Gauke Portrait Mr Gauke
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My hon. Friend has made an important point. The way in which to change the culture of multinational companies—and, indeed, we have already started to see signs of such a change—is to take the action that we have taken in implementing the BEPS recommendations and introducing a diverted profits tax. Those are the achievements of this Government.

Nic Dakin Portrait Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)
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I really cannot believe that the Government see this deal as a major success. Why are they so supportive of sweetheart deals for companies like Google, but so slow and reluctant to address the business rates burden on the steel industry?

David Gauke Portrait Mr Gauke
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As I have said, we are reviewing business rates, and, in fact, we have cut them by £1 billion in recent years. I should add that there is no sweetheart deal. HMRC does not undertake sweetheart deals. What it undertakes are thorough inquiries, and when companies accept their liabilities, those inquiries can be brought to a conclusion. However, we are ensuring that HMRC succeeds in delivering the revenue that is due under the law.