Why carbon tax is not the main reason Rio Tinto is closing its UK smelter

Salman Shaheen

November 17 2011

Rio Tinto announced this week that it is closing its only aluminium smelting plant in the UK. Much of the coverage surrounding the decision suggests that it is a reaction to the burden of changing environmental tax policy, but the reality is somewhat different.

Unlock this content.

The content you are trying to view is exclusive to our subscribers.

To unlock this content:

Take a Free Trial or Login

Topics

Salman Shaheen

Salman Shaheen worked at ITR between 2010 and 2017

more across site & shared bottom lb ros

More from across our site

Direct Tax

A&M Tax launches in Ireland with EY, DLA Piper hires

It continues a prolific spree of investment for the firm, after it launched in Indonesia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Japan in 2025

Sam Sholli, April 16 2026

Transfer Pricing

‘Taxpayers are thrilled’: local experts hail record-breaking Indian APAs

Booming APA statistics reflect the growing credibility of India’s TP framework and the country’s shift toward a tax certainty approach, ITR has heard

Sam Sholli, April 16 2026

Direct Tax

Hogan Lovells Cadwalader merger approved, debut planned for July

Partners at both firms have voted in favour of the tie-up, which marks ‘the largest law firm merger in history’

Noemi Distefano, April 15 2026

Podcasts

Editable TT 640x360 article-thumbnail (4).png

Podcast: Side-by-side or upside down? Analysing the future of pillar two

The latest edition of Taxing Times with ITR covers all the controversy from a dramatic period for the carve-out deal, and also dissects the big four's AI strategies

Tom Baker, April 15 2026

Direct Tax

Rethinking permanent establishment in the GCC after pillar two

Hany Elnaggar examines how the OECD’s global minimum tax is reshaping PE concepts across the GCC, shifting the focus from formal presence to substantive economic activity

Hany Elnaggar, April 14 2026

Direct Tax

Ashurst Perkins Coie moves forward with partners’ vote

The combination between Ashurst and Perkins Coie, which will create a $2.8 bn law firm, is expected to close in Q3

Noemi Distefano, April 13 2026

Transfer Pricing

Norton Rose Fulbright hires new TP head from Baker McKenzie

The ‘highly regarded’ Stephanie Pantelidaki, who has big four experience, will be based in the firm’s London office

Sam Sholli, April 13 2026

Direct Tax

Newly-promoted Skadden UK partner talks TP, growth areas and HMRC collaboration

A co-operative working relationship with the UK tax agency has helped 'unblock entrenched positions' to the benefit of clients, Kara Heggs tells ITR

Sam Sholli, April 13 2026

Direct Tax

BDO planning to cut roughly 6% of partners in UK

New hires from rivals are reportedly being axed from the firm, following a steep decline in profits

Sam Sholli, April 10 2026

Direct Tax

A taxing week: Is Darren Graves the man to up Deloitte’s tax game?

Following Richard Houston’s switch to the newly formed Deloitte EMEA, Graves has the opportunity to bring Deloitte’s tax practice up to speed with its rivals

Sam Sholli, April 10 2026