Unite: “Obscene” Shell profits demand a windfall tax
“Obscene” record profits at Shell whilst pensioners, motorists and British industry struggle with high energy prices demand a windfall tax, according to Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of Unite the union, Britain’s largest trade union.
“Shell shareholders are doing very nicely whilst the rest of us, the stakeholders, are paying the price and struggling,” said Mr. Woodley. “Record profits of over thirteen and a half billion pounds at Shell and cumulative oil industry profits in excess of fifty billion in the last three years are, quite frankly, obscene. It is time the government acted.”
Mr. Woodley said there was no problem with profits but consumers should question the “excessive, mega-profits” of the oil companies. This was especially the case, he continued, in the light of UK companies and hauliers saying they are being pressed on high fuel and energy costs, pensioners struggling to pay energy bills and motorists struggling to fill their petrol tanks.
“This government took the brave step of putting a windfall tax on the greedy privatised utilities to fund the New Deal,” he stressed. “With pensions injustices still to be addressed, fortune should favour the brave again and the greedy oil companies should be asked to contribute for the common good.”
Pressing the government to act he said a windfall tax would be the “right and proper” thing to do over and above the normal taxes the oil companies would pay.
“The oil companies can maintain their investment programmes, maintain their explorations, pay their normal taxes, maintain good returns to shareholders but still put their hands in their treasure chests and pay a windfall tax,” he added. “These companies can afford it. Many pensioners cannot afford to live. It’s as simple as that.”
ENDS
Unite was formed on 1st May 2007 from a merger of amicus and the Transport and General Workers Union (T&G)
For further information please contact the Unite press office on 020 7611 2550
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