British unions call on banks

British trade union leaders want banks, which have received government help to deal with the financial crisis to reveal their level of involvement in offshore low-tax centres.



Research carried out by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) suggests that Lloyds, RBS, HSBC and Barclays have well over 1,000 subsidiary companies in countries like the Cayman Islands, Jersey and the Bahamas.



The TUC\'s general secretary, Brendan Barber, said the taxpayer is now supporting Britain\'s banks, either directly or indirectly.



Jersey\'s Chief Minister said he has no reason to believe large United Kingdom banks are evading paying tax by running subsidiary companies in the island.