Union urges action over Olympic tax dodgers
Building sector union demands that Olympic organisers clamp down on tax evasion by contractors
The most influential union in the building sector, Ucatt, has urged the
Treasury and HM Revenue & Customs to ensure that Olympic construction
contracts do not become blighted by tax evasion.
According to The Times, Ucatt has written to financial secretary to
the Treasury Jane Kennedy and HMRC chairman Paul Gray seeking action over the
tax status of construction workers working on Olympic projects.
Ucatt has long argued that self-employed workers exploit tax rules unfairly
and cost the government billions of pounds in lost tax. The union believes that
self-employed workers cost the Treasury £2.5bn annually.
Ucatt, along with GMB and Unite, has been engaged in discussions with the
Olympic Delivery on the matter but feels that talks have been deadlocked over
the issue of direct employment.
‘It is entirely unacceptable to allow a situation where the ODA allows
extensive tax avoidance to take place on such a prestigious public project,’
said Alan Ritchie, Ucatt general secretary.
Further reading:
Olympics facing £1bn extra VAT bill
Olympic body on the hunt for finance boss