France pushes forward alone with new tax on big tech companies

Tax will come into effect from 1 January, but plans for an EU-wide levy have faltered

France is to press ahead alone with a new tax on big technology companies after struggling to secure agreement for a EU-wide levy.

The French finance minister, Bruno Le Maire, said he believed the tax, which will take effect from 1 January, would raise a500m (450m) in its first year.