UK taxpayers want higher levies on big tech companies, survey shows

Approximately 67% of British adults believe the UK government should increase digital services taxes on multinational technology companies to raise their overall tax contributions, according to polling released Monday by the Fair Tax Foundation. The survey indicates strong public support for higher levies on global giants including Google, Amazon, and Meta.

How does the UK digital services tax work?

Introduced in 2020, the digital services tax is a 2% levy on the revenues of marketplace, social media, and search engine companies. To qualify for the tax, a firm must have UK sales exceeding £25 million or global sales surpassing £500 million.

Official figures show the tax raised about £800 million for the exchequer in 2024-25. Only a small number of technology firms currently pay the levy.

Did You Know? The UK digital services tax applies specifically to companies with UK sales over £25 million or global revenues exceeding £500 million.

Why is there public pressure for “tax justice”?

The Fair Tax Foundation found that 75% of the British public would prefer to shop with or work for businesses that can prove they pay a fair share of tax. Paul Monaghan, the foundation’s chief executive, stated that “tax justice” remains a top concern for the public regarding corporate conduct.

Monaghan said the research shows the UK is “at its core a fair tax nation” and that citizens want the government to ensure all businesses, regardless of size, pay their fair share.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the UK government faces a difficult balancing act. While there is clear domestic pressure to increase corporate contributions, the risk of retaliatory trade measures from the US creates a significant economic trade-off for policymakers.

What are the risks of increasing tech levies?

Critics of the levy argue that these taxes may lead to higher fees for the users who pay for these services. There is also significant geopolitical tension regarding the tax.

UK Digital Services Tax Leads to Google Fee Increase

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose “a big tariff” on the UK if the government does not remove the tax on US-based technology companies.

How consistent is this public sentiment?

The Fair Tax Foundation polls approximately 2,000 adults annually using census data from the Office for National Statistics. Support for the digital services tax has remained steady, registering 69% in 2025 and 67% in 2026.

The report noted that over the last 10 years of polling, no less than 70% of Britons have expressed a desire to work for a company that practices fair taxation.

What may happen next?

The UK government could face increasing domestic pressure to raise the 2% rate to align with public expectations. However, such a move may trigger the “big tariff” threatened by the US administration.

A possible next step could involve the government weighing the £800 million in current revenue against the potential economic impact of a US trade war.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of Britons support higher digital services taxes?
According to the Fair Tax Foundation, 67% of respondents believe the government should charge higher taxes on multinational tech groups.

Which companies are targeted by this tax?
The tax targets search engine, social media, or marketplace companies, such as Amazon, Google, and Meta.

What was the financial impact of the tax in 2024-25?
Official figures indicate the tax raised about £800 million for the exchequer during that period.

Do you believe multinational tech companies should pay higher local taxes regardless of potential trade tariffs?

UK taxpayers want higher levies on big tech companies, survey shows | Tax and spending