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BBC Radio 5 Live

5 Live Breakfast

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Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards with the new look 5 Live Breakfast.

Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards with the new look 5 Live Breakfast, with unique stories from across the UK, explaining details behind the headlines, and the biggest news and sport.

Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards with the new look 5 Live Breakfast, featuring unique stories from across the UK, explaining the details behind the headlines, and the biggest news and sport.

5 live Breakfast: Your Call

5 Live Breakfast: Your Call: 20/05/2013

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20/05/2013

Your Call

BBC Radio 5 Live - 5 Live Breakfast, Your Call, 20/05/2013

Is it 'evil' to avoid tax? Rachel Burden takes your calls.

David Cameron meets the Google boss Eric Schmidt later, days after the search giant was put on the rack by MPs over its tax affairs. Is it 'evil' to avoid tax?

The Prime Minister is meeting the Google boss Eric Schmidt later, days after the search giant was put on the rack by MPs over its tax affairs.

But The company with the motto "don't be evil" isn't the only one in the firing line. David Cameron has written to British overseas territories telling them to "get their house in order" and sign up to international treaties on tax... and Amazon, Starbucks, and now Marks and Spencer are all accused of taking advantage of tax laws to reduce the amount they pay in the UK. 

They all say their tax affairs are legal. Is it understandable that companies would try to minimise their tax bills? Can you blame them for protecting their bottom line - isn't that what business is all about? If what they're doing is legal - what's the problem? 

Or do companies have a moral duty to pay their way? Are they pocketing money that should be spent on things like schools and hospitals? Are they obeying the letter of the law - but breaking it in spirit? 

Is it "evil" to avoid tax? Rachel Burden takes your calls.

5 Live Breakfast: Your Call

The UK’s home of live news and live sport.

The UK’s home of live news and live sport. With live Premier League and FA Cup football, and Formula 1, Olympics and cricket coverage.

Nicky Campbell takes your calls on the day's big story.

Nicky Campbell takes your calls on the day's big story.
Call 08085 909693 (calls are free from mobiles and landlines.

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20/05/2013

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