Community action that works

Tax-dodging. It’s been all over the headlines. And on our own, it’s easy to feel powerless when we face big business. But people power has changed that. 38 Degrees members have teamed up to find a way to fight back.

When Npower admitted they hadn’t paid a single penny of corporation tax for three years, 38 Degrees members sprang into action. [1] Thousands of us signed a huge petition. We funded an investigation that proved their profits had been channelled through Malta. Our people-powered, tax-dodging scoop hit the front pages. [2]

And then we played our trump card: a new tool on the 38 Degrees website to make it easy for Npower customers to switch providers. So far, it’s working. Thousands of Npower customers have changed energy companies. But we can do better. Can you spread the word today and get more people involved?

Npower are one of the biggest energy companies in the UK, so chances are you’ve got customers among your friends and family. Even if you’re not sure whether they use Npower or not, they’ll probably know someone who does. Can you send them this email, and ask them to join in by clicking here?


SWITCH SUPPLIER


It’s a simple two-step process to switch energy supplier, and it only takes about 5 minutes:
Step 1 - email Npower to tell them why you’re leaving
Step 2 - pick a new supplier from the list, and sign up to switch at their website

We’ve heard excuse after excuse from the energy giant, but they haven’t taken any firm action. [3] They’ve even refused to meet Npower customers. Now it’s time to show them we really mean business - and confirm our victory with another flurry of customers switching away.

The more of us who get involved, the greater our impact. So please forward this email to your family and friends, and ask them to join in here:


SWITCH SUPPLIER


When companies like Npower dodge paying tax, it means more cuts or higher taxes for the rest of us. Now we have the chance to bring them down a peg or two and make them understand that their actions have consequences.

Big companies have been dodging tax for years - but as we saw with Starbucks last year, when their customers and the public get angry, companies listen. [3] Please press forward on this email to get more people involved.


SWITCH SUPPLIER


Thanks for being involved and helping to make the big Npower tax turnoff such a big success.

Becky, Robin, Belinda and the 38 Degrees team


PS: Sadly, companies misbehaving like Npower are all too common. Now, there’s a new part of the 38 Degrees website where 38 degrees members can start their own petition - when they hear about other companies that are up to no good. You can start your own petition asking a company to clean up its act, or on another issue you care about, by clicking here: http://you.38degrees.org.uk/

PPS: 38 Degrees is fully member-funded, which means we don’t take donations from government or big business. During the campaign to get Npower to pay their taxes, regular donations from 38 Degrees members meant we could get started on building our switching tool and funding the investigation into their tax-dodging without any delay. Could you make a regular donation to 38 Degrees of £2 or £3 a week? Click here to chip in regularly now: https://directdebit.38degrees.org.uk/?ref=npw1

NOTES
[1] The Independent - Npower's three years of zero corporation tax:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/npowers-three-years-of-zero-corporation-tax-8575099.html
[2] 38 Degrees blog - Npower the Tax Dodgers:
http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2013/04/30/npower-tax-avoidance-malta/
[3] 38 Degrees blog - Npower 48hrs to Vote:
http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2013/05/14/npower-48-hrs-to-vote/
[4] The Guardian - Starbucks to pay £20m in tax over next two years after customer revolt:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/dec/06/starbucks-to-pay-10m-corporation-tax