Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026

Sunak under pressure to back Biden’s global corporation tax plan

Sunak under pressure to back Biden’s global corporation tax plan

Labour expected to trigger Commons vote to force UK government to support proposal
Rishi Sunak is facing growing pressure to support US proposals for a global minimum rate of corporation tax in the run-up to the UK hosting a pivotal meeting between G7 leaders in Cornwall next month.

Labour is expected to trigger a Commons vote on Monday designed to force the UK government to back the plan put forward by the US president, Joe Biden, which is being negotiated between more than 130 nations with the hope of securing an agreement this autumn.

Under the proposals, multinational corporations would be prevented from shifting profits across borders to exploit the most attractive low-tax locations, thereby allowing some big tech companies and other firms to avoid British tax and undercut British businesses. It would also set a minimum global corporation tax rate.

The Biden administration initially proposed a rate of 21% but last week it appeared to revise this, saying it should be “at least” 15%, although adding that this would be a “floor” and that discussions should continue to push that rate higher.

The plan for an international agreement on a minimum rate has been gathering support, including from Germany, France, Canada, Italy and Japan, but it has not been endorsed by Britain.

Labour said it had tabled an amendment to the finance bill due in the Commons on Monday aimed at forcing the government to back the proposal.

It will mark the first major intervention by Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, since her elevation as part of Keir Starmer’s reshuffle after the party suffered heavy losses in the local elections earlier this month.

Reeves said the UK had a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to overhaul global tax rules, and it would help to bring in extra income for the UK exchequer and stop online companies from undercutting British firms.

She said: “By making sure they pay their fair share in Britain, we can level the playing field for our brilliant businesses and build an economic recovery with thriving industries, strong public services and good, secure jobs for all.”

The organisation Tax Justice UK has estimated that a 21% global minimum rate would bring in about £13.5bn a year in extra tax benefiting Britain.

In the March budget, Sunak announced that the UK headline rate of corporation tax would rise to 25% – but not until 2023. The UK has played a leading role in reforming its tax system to tackle the rise of online companies, with the introduction of a digital services tax last year. However, the chancellor has faced growing calls to back the Biden plan to curb tax avoidance by big companies and US tech giants.

A senior Conservative party source said the government was engaging with the US and other countries on a global minimum corporation tax rate. “But any agreement must come as part of a package, including a solution on fair taxation of large multinational digital companies.”

“The Labour party have been calling for a global minimum rate of tax, while at the same time voted against the rise in domestic corporation tax. It’s time the Labour party made up their mind about where they stand.”

Reeves said the global minimum rate would stop “the global race to the bottom” on corporate tax.

“The Conservatives have a choice: they can join Labour in tackling large-scale tax avoidance or they can allow billions of pounds to leave Britain,” she said.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
GCC Secretary-General Holds Talks with EU Ambassador in Riyadh
Gulf States’ AI Investment Drive Seen as Strategic Bet on Technology and U.S. Security Ties
African Union Commission Chair Meets Saudi Vice Foreign Minister to Deepen Strategic Cooperation
President El-Sisi Holds Strategic Talks with Saudi Crown Prince in Riyadh
Lucid Unveils Up to $12,000 Incentive for Air and Gravity Models in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Enters Global AI Partnership, Expanding Its Role in International Technology Governance
Saudi Arabia’s Landmark U.S. LNG Agreement Signals Major Strategic Shift
Saudi Arabia Accelerates Global Gaming Push with Billion-Dollar Deals and Expanded PIF Mandate
Saudi Arabia Reports $25.28 Billion Budget Deficit in Fourth Quarter of 2025
Alvarez & Marsal Tax Establishes Dedicated Pillar Two and Transfer Pricing Team in Saudi Arabia
United States Approves Over Fifteen Billion Dollars in Major Arms Sales to Israel and Saudi Arabia
Pre-Iftar Walks Gain Momentum as Ramadan Wellness Trend Spreads
Middle East Jackup Rig Fleet Contracts Further After Saudi Drilling Suspensions
Türkiye and Saudi Arabia Prepare to Sign Five Gigawatt Renewable Energy Deal at COP31
King Mohammed VI Congratulates Saudi Leadership on Founding Day, Reaffirming Strategic Ties
US Envoy Huckabee Clarifies Remarks on Israel After Expansionism Controversy
Saudi Arabia Introduces Limited Exceptions to Regional Headquarters Requirement for Foreign Firms
Saudi Arabia Joins Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, Elevating Its Role in Shaping AI Governance
Saudi Arabia and Arab States Mobilise Diplomatically After U.S. Envoy’s Israel Remarks
Cristiano Ronaldo Reaffirms His Commitment to Saudi Arabia Amid Transfer Speculation
Proposed US-Saudi Nuclear Deal Raises Questions Over Uranium Enrichment Provisions
Saudi Arabia Sends 81st Aid Flight to Gaza as Humanitarian Air Bridge Continues
Global Games Show Riyadh 2026 Positioned as Catalyst for Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030
Saudi Arabia Eases Procurement Rules, Allowing Foreign Firms Greater Access to Government Contracts
Türkiye and Saudi Arabia Seal Two Billion Dollar Solar Energy Agreement
Saudi Crown Prince Reportedly Sends Letter to UAE Leader Over Yemen and Sudan Policies
Saudi Arabia Voices Concerns to UAE Over Sudan Conflict and Yemen Strategy
Saudi Arabia Joins Global Artificial Intelligence Alliance to Strengthen International Collaboration
Shura Island Positioned as Flagship of Saudi Arabia’s Ambitious Red Sea Tourism Drive
Saudi Arabia Rebukes Mike Huckabee Over Remarks in Tucker Carlson Interview
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman praises the rapid progress of Chinese tech companies.
Concerns Mount Over Potential Saudi Uranium Enrichment in Prospective US Nuclear Accord
Trump Directs Government to Release UFO and Alien Information
Trump Signs Global 10% Tariffs on Imports
Investability Emerges as the Defining Test of Saudi Arabia’s Next Market Phase
Saudi Arabia’s Packaging Market Accelerates as Sustainability and E-Commerce Drive Transformation
Saudi Arabia Unveils $32 Billion Push Into Theme Parks and Global Entertainment
Saudi Crude Exports to India Climb Sharply, Closing Gap With Russia
Saudi Arabia’s Halal Cosmetics Market Expands as Faith and Ethical Beauty Drive Growth
ImmunityBio Secures Saudi Partnerships to Launch Flagship Cancer Therapy
United Kingdom Denies U.S. Access to Military Base for Potential Iran Strike
Türkiye and Saudi Arabia Launch Expanded Renewable Energy Partnership
US Supreme Court Voids Trump’s Emergency Tariff Plan, Reshaping Trade Power and Fiscal Risk
Mongolian Mining Family’s HK$247 Million Stanley Home Purchase Highlights Resilient Luxury Market
UK Intensifies Efforts to Secure Saudi Investment in Next-Generation Fighter Jet Programme
Saudi Arabia Tops Middle East Green Building Rankings with Record Growth in 2025
Qatar and Saudi Arabia Each Commit One Billion Dollars to President Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ Initiative
Ramadan 2026 Prayer Times Set as Fasting Begins in Saudi Arabia and Egypt Announces Dates
Saudi Arabia Launches Ramadan 2026 Hotel Campaign to Boost Religious and Leisure Tourism
Saudi Arabia Seeks Reroute of Greece-Bound Fibre-Optic Cable Through Syria Instead of Israel
×