UK Uncut protests tax dodging by HSBC

UK Uncut campaigners have forced shut several branches of HSBC bank across Britain, protesting against large corporationsâ„¢ tax-dodging, media reports said.

Campaigners targeted the bank in 13 locations on Saturday, including Glasgow, Sheffield, Brixton and Regent’s Street in London, British media reported.

Demonstrators complained that large corporations such as HSBC had made matters worse by Å“dodging tax”.

They also protested against the governmentâ„¢s spending cuts or delays in benefits payments which have transformed people into relying on food banks.

The campaigners highlighted research showing that 500,000 people regularly rely on food banks, with almost half saying it was because of cuts or delays in benefits payments.

The protesters set up a food bank on the street in front of the branch and put tape across the front door which had the message “Closed by UK Uncut” written across it.

A HSBC spokesman said the branch “shut temporarily at 11.30am as a precaution”, adding: “It may open later.”

Earlier, the spokesman said: “Our branches will be open as usual this Saturday; however our clear priority is the safety of our customers and staff. We are aware that our branches are a focus of UK Uncut for the day and we will take any precautions necessary.”

Murray Worthy, a spokesman for UK Uncut taking part in the protest on Regent Street, said: “We came here to shut it down and it’s shut down. We can’t go on with business as usual with the big banks dodging tax, while hundreds of thousands of people go hungry. That’s what we came here to do and that’s what we’ve done.”

He added: “We’re here today because we think it’s an outrage that half a million people now rely on food banks in the UK.”

Worthy accused HSBC of using tax havens more than any other bank.

MOL/HE

Republished with permission from: Press TV