The Baptist Union of Great Britain has voted to campaign against multi-national companies that avoid paying tax in third world countries.

A resolution backed by Baptists at the weekend commits the BUGB to raising its concerns with the Coalition over tax dodging.

Specifically, the resolution asks the BUGB to speak out over the "negative impacts of tax dodging and avoidance by some companies, which are estimated to cost poor countries $160 billion each year".

The BUGB will also call on the UK Government to "show international leadership in negotiating international tax transparency for all multi-national companies and an end to tax haven secrecy".

The public resolution was debated on the final morning of the Baptist Assembly.

It was proposed by BUGB Treasurer Malcolm Broad, who said that tax dodging could help countries overcome poverty.

"It is vital that the underlying structural causes of injustice in our world are addressed if poverty is ever to be overcome," he said.

"And tax dodging is increasingly recognised as one of those structural causes too important to ignore. Baptists need to join this campaign."”

The resolution was seconded by BMS World Mission and has gained the support of Christian Aid, a vocal campaigner against tax evasion.

As part of its Trace the Tax campaign, Christian Aid is calling upon governments to enforce country-by-country reporting in order to make multinational companies more transparent about the profits they make and the taxes they pay in each of the countries they operate in.

Christian Aid's Economic Justice Campaigns Officer Alasdair Roxburgh said: "Christian Aid is delighted that the Baptist Assembly has given its support to our Trace the Tax campaign.

"It is a massive boost to the campaign and sends a clear signal that Baptist churches sees this as a serious issue which must be tackled."