Why Friendly Soap in Hebden Bridge believes in paying its fair share of tax

Friendly Soap, which uses an ancient cold-process method to manufacture its soap so that there is no waste, has been accredited by the Fair Tax Mark.

Rob Costello, co-founder of Friendly Soap, said: “It’s only right that when we’re successful we pay our contribution towards the vital public services our business and our people rely on, from the NHS and flood defence, to roads and education.”

The business was founded by Mr Costello and Geoff Kerouac, both of whom previously worked at Suma Wholefoods Co-operative, which was accredited as a Fair Tax Mark business in 2019.

Paul Monaghan, chief executive of Fair Tax Mark, said: “We are delighted to announce that Friendly Soap has joined the Fair Tax movement, and are proudly saying what the pay.

"Their certification means customers, suppliers and staff can clearly see they have a transparent and responsible approach to tax.

“The public rightly expects responsible behaviour, but far too often they’re reading headlines that describe the tactics businesses employ to avoid contributing the tax they should to the public purse.

“It is estimated that annually, due to corporate profits being shifted to tax havens, corporate tax revenue losses in the UK amount to at least £7bn.

"Just think of the nurses, doctors and teachers we could employ, or the renewable energy infrastructure we could build if that tax was paid as it should be?”