When companies invest in UK they do so in the hope of profitable business – and UK welcomes this as a potential expansion of our economic base.
But the attraction of investing in UK is that it is a well ordered, law abiding country with affordable healthcare, strong educational and research capabilities, a peaceful, stable society served by well-founded institutions and provided with modern infrastructure and communications.
All of this is located within a milieu of a familiar international culture, high quality entertainment and sport and a equitable climate.
This lowers the risks, reduces costs and increases the potential to run profitable businesses here – especially those that are technology-based.
However, to achieve all this requires a broad based but expensive social infrastructure.
It is only fair that investing technology companies pay their way and make adequate contributions to the historic and future costs of that social infrastructure which is the foundation of all those things which make the UK such an attractive place in which to invest in the first place.
And one way to achieve an equitable outcome is via a Digital Services Tax.
Britons are not here to be simply the wage-slaves of foreign investors who will benefit indefinitely through repatriated profits from their skill, expertise and hard work.
Over and above the capital expenditure, employment charges and the customary national and local taxes there must be a realistic contribution towards our social infrastructure and a Digital Services Tax will be a fair, turnover-related way both to obtain that contribution and also to mitigate possible social disbenefits.