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Less than one-fifth of voters support plans to reduce tax on the profits of big business, a new poll has suggested.
The YouGov survey claims that voters reject business lobbying for lower taxes. Fifty-seven percent of respondents disagreed with the proposition 'the Government is right to reduce tax on the profits of large companies', while 18% agreed.
The figures were released by the TUC, which as a member of the Treasury's advisory group on tax competitiveness plans to warn ministers against reducing taxes paid by multinationals.
The organisation will say that such a move only be paid for by 'raising tax on ordinary people, cutting public services or retreating from the Government's commitments on poverty'.
The poll also shows voters believe that 'it is too easy for big companies to get out of paying a fair level of tax', with 69% agreeing and 8% disagreeing.
As part of the advisory group, the TUC aims to call on the Government to play a leading role in international efforts to ensure that business taxes are paid in the country where profits are generated.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber remarked: 'Corporate Britain is waging a big campaign to pay less tax, but the rest of us should be on our guard. If business get its way it will mean higher taxes for the rest of us, cuts in public services or a retreat from anti-poverty targets.
Mr Barber went on to cite TUC research that shows 'big companies pay an effective corporation tax rate 6% less than the headline rate'.
He added: 'If the Government wants to provide a more straightforward tax regime with fewer loopholes and opportunities for avoidance then we are in support, but this must be done within a fair tax framework in which big companies make a proper contribution to the public purse.'
'Big companies are playing the same card across the world, threatening to quit countries unless their tax is slashed. The UK should stop pandering to this cynical game and start working with other governments to call the corporations' bluff.'
