Yes UK has a stamp tax, but there are legal ways around it thru reglauted spread accounts on stock, futures and FX it trades the same but avoids the tax . I trade with a friend out in the UK and thats what he does. Its regulated by the gov. Also the CFD'S offer to trade are exempt from the tax so they are able to trade the same things, yet avoid the tax, so its unfair to say the UK is taxed and it works, it works cause plenty of people avoid it thru other legal and regulated means. Unfortunately now here in the US CFD'S are not allowed.