TAX dodging multi-national companies should be tackled to help towns like Bolton, a Labour councillor has said.

Horwich councillor Stephen Pickup has submitted a motion urging the chief executive of Bolton Council Sean Harriss to write to the government, calling on it to do more to stop large companies that avoid paying tax.

Cllr Pickup said he was inspired to write the motion after being contacted by charity ActionAid and local residents who felt passionate about the issue.

Local governments in developing countries and the UK alike would benefit from a fairer tax system and enable them to provide quality public services, he said.

Mr Pickup added: “The charity are calling on as many towns as possible to get this motion to the government, and look at the tax dodging that’s going on by multinational companies.

“It’s about being equitable. It’s an issue in this country but also in the Third World, where, if companies paid the proper amount of tax it could support a huge amount of people’s education, for example.

“I think it’s become an issue because of the economic problems worldwide, austerity and the subsequent squeeze on public spending — which has brought to light these enormous multi-national companies not paying their fair share of tax.

“It’s been a big issue for a long time, and when I was approached to put this motion I was more than happy to agree with it.”

Councillors will discuss the motion at tonight’s meeting of full council