WIREDGOV

The TUC has welcomed new rules announced by the Treasury yesterday (Thursday) that will see companies found guilty of aggressive tax avoidance banned from bidding for major government contracts.

TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said: 'These new measures are welcome and long overdue.

'We are pleased that the government has acknowledged the huge cost tax avoidance and evasion imposes upon society and ordinary people.

'This new scheme sends out the right the message - that tax avoidance will not pay and that companies which engage in this kind of behaviour will be banned from bidding for major contracts. Although there's still far more to do, this is an important first step in changing corporate behaviour.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

Contacts:

Media enquiries:

Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Alex Rossiter T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07887 572130 E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk