Reacting to today’s Prime Minister’s Question on Scottish Limited Partnerships by Angus Robertson MP, Jamie Livingstone, Head of Oxfam Scotland said:
“We very much welcome this issue being raised because we are deeply concerned at the reported abuse of Scottish Limited Partnerships (SLPs).
“SLPs are insufficiently transparent and this could be helping those who want to dodge tax. Oxfam cares about tax dodging wherever it happens because we know it is the poorest people who lose out most.
“The misuse of SLPs risks tarnishing Scotland and the UK’s reputation at a time when our leadership on the issue of tax transparency is urgently needed.
“We hope the Prime Minister will ensure SLPs are reviewed and any loopholes closed as quickly as possible. In fact, the upcoming Criminal Finances Bill creates a timely opportunity for action and we would urge the Prime Minister to use this Bill to back up the Government’s strong words on tackling tax avoidance with real action.”
Oxfam has been campaigning for a review of SLPs to ensure any tax and other loopholes are immediately closed. Powers over SLPs are reserved to Westminster.
Oxfam has called for cross-party support for addressing this issue in Scotland and more than 2,000 people have written to the leaders of the five parties represented at the Scottish Parliament and David Mundell MP, the Secretary of State for Scotland. This has attracted the support of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish Labour Leader Kezia Dugdale, the Co-Convenor of the Scottish Greens Patrick Harvie and the Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Willie Rennie.
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More information on Oxfam Scotland’s campaign
Blog: Why there needs to be action now on SLPs