ENERGY firm Shell has reported that it paid no corporation tax in Britain last year despite making a pre-tax profit of £19.2 billion, and despite paying out billions to other governments.

Campaign group Greenpeace said that the government allows oil companies to claim tax relief on the costs of decommissioning wells and charges them lower rates of tax on their profits since changes to the tax code in 2016.

Greenpeace UK’s senior climate advisor Charlie Kronick said: “At a time when our country faces a pandemic and a climate crisis, with our economy taking a hit, it is outrageous that the government is supporting tax laws that protect and promote the oil industry in the North Sea.

“Any claims of environmental leadership from this government are laughable while it continues to prop up oil majors instead of investing in renewable energy and green jobs.”

Shell UK has been invited to comment.