G8 leaders sign up to tax deal, agree Syria position

Leaders of the G8 nations meeting in the North today signed up today to a declaration designed to tackle tax evasion and promote free trade around the world.

The Lough Erne Declaration – signed by the UK, US, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Japan and Russia – vows to “fight the scourge of tax evasion” by ensuring automatic exchange of tax information and changing the rules to stop multinational companies shifting profits across borders to avoid paying their fair share.