WATER COMPANIES AND TAX

Early day motion 1024, tabled 29 January 2014 by John Leech (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 23 members.

That this House condemns Britain's big six water companies for avoiding paying their fair share of tax; notes that despite amassing £1.75 billion in combined profits, only £45 million was paid in tax last year by two out of the six companies with the other four paying no corporation tax at all; further notes that these same companies are increasing their profits on the back of inflation-busting increases to customers' bills; and therefore calls on the water companies to pay their fair share of tax by putting an end to dubious tax avoidance measures; and, failing this, calls on the Government to introduce a windfall tax on all the water companies to recover the tax revenue that has been lost since privatisation.

Signatures by party: Labour 13, DUP 3, Liberal Democrat 2, Alliance 1, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Respect 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.