Tax these US bullies

IF you want to see the ugly face of capitalism look no further than the US technology giants.

The likes of Amazon and Facebook have become a byword for all that is wrong with big business, whether it is industrial scale tax avoidance or exploiting their workforce.

These corporate bullies are threatening to withdraw investment if Philip Hammond presses ahead with a digital sales tax in Monday’s Budget. He should stand firm.

One of the reasons our high street is struggling is because British firms are having to compete with online retailers who abuse their monopoly position and use clever accounting techniques to limit their tax bills.

These firms should be told if they want access to one of the most prosperous markets in the world then they should play by the rules.

We should not be held hostage by a greedy group of Californian freebooters.