Christian Aid wants FTSE 100 to endorse transparency drive

Christian Aid has asked thousands of its supporters to lobby the FTSE 100 as they continue pressuring multinationals’ on their tax practices.

The body would like to see country-by- country reporting introduced, to shed light on how much tax is paid on profits generated in poor countries.

On Wednesday, the development agency says it has contacted "thousands of its supporters," asking them to encourage leading firms such as Marks & Spencer, Rolls Royce, BT and Barclays to respond to a Christian Aid survey about tax and development.

"We have written to all the FTSE100 companies, seeking their views on questions such as whether businesses have a social responsibility to pay tax in poor countries and whether they would support the introduction of a new, more transparent accounting standard," said Judith Cavanagh, Christian Aid’s Campaign Manager, Economic Justice.