Tech giants have been accused of trying to use coronavirus as an “obscene” excuse to avoid a new tax on huge UK profits. Industry body TechUK, whose hundreds of members include Facebook, Google, Apple and Amazon, reportedly urged the Government to “look again” at the Digital Services Tax.
One of its top bosses claimed firms need “more breathing space” as Covid-19 meant “resources are stretched and revenue uncertain.” Yet they are faring far better than bricks and mortar companies, which face weeks of closure from which they may not recover.
As physical shops feel the full force of lockdown, Amazon, which already had a huge advantage due to business rates, has seen a boom in sales.