Campaign Push for Robin Hood Tax
14th June 2010
The campaign for the Robin Hood Tax - a tiny tax on banks' financial transactions that could raise billions of pounds to fight poverty, protect public services and tackle climate change - is gaining momentum.
Backed by trade unions, financiers and economists, the campaign is calling on leaders of the UK's political parties to support a global tax on the banks which would apply to transactions between financial institutions rather than high street customers. Banking is one of the most profitable industries in the world, yet is not currently taxed as much as other sectors. Experts have estimated that an international transaction tax system could eventually raise as much as £250bn every year.
The campaign is urgently looking to win financial support from the public for its billboard campaign in Westminster tube station, which would run for two weeks from 21 June. MPs wouldn't be able to ignore the billboard as they travel to and from work, and it would show them just how much the public are behind this simple yet brilliant idea. The cost of the advert is £5,368 and with 650 MPs in the UK, just 4 people per constituency would be required to donate £2 each to reach the target amount.
After supporters donate (or even if they don't) the campaign will also encourage them to email the Chancellor, asking him to introduce a Robin Hood Tax in the budget, and to email MPs asking them to write to the Chancellor.
To register your support for the Robin Hood Tax, and/or to donate, visit http://robinhoodtax.org.uk/uncategorized/tax-the-banks-not%20-ordinary-people/
