Oldham Lib-Dems call on council bosses to get tough on contractors for Fair Tax Week

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE

Liberal Democrat councillors in Oldham are marking Fair Tax Week 2023 (June 8-18, including Tax Justice Sunday June 11) by calling on council chiefs to “get tough” on partners and contractors.

Leader of Oldham Liberal Democrats, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, said: “Oldham Council passed a Fair Tax Declaration in 2019. 

"But four years on, the council still can’t give a clear answer on whether its contractors are abiding by the fair tax practices we have pledged to support.”

Councillor Sykes has written an open letter to the council’s Chief Executive, Harry Catherall, and Council Leader, councillor Arooj Shah, calling on leadership to provide a progress report, four years on.

In his letter, councillor Sykes calls on Oldham Council to “lead by example” on fair tax policies. 

Councillor Sykes said: “Fair Tax Week 2023 is an opportunity for Oldham Council to reaffirm its commitment and lead by example. 

"Liberal Democrats are proud to have put ‘Fair Tax’ on the Council’s agenda four years ago and we are continuing to ensure that Oldham’s leaders live up to the commitments they made in the Council chamber. 

"We can do this by ensuring that the contractors we employ properly adhere to fair tax practices.”

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