SCIAF
Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund
19 Park Circus
Glasgow
G3 6BE
Tel: 0141 354 5555
Email: sciaf@sciaf.org.uk
© SCIAF 2008
Registered Charity No: SC012302
Company No: SC197327
Registered Office: as above
SCIAF welcomes Prime Minister's support for Tax Justice
David Cameron spoke about aid, trade and democracy in Lagos, Nigeria this week. There were encouraging signs for tax justice campaigners.
The PM addressed a number of issues while speaking at the Pan African University in Ajah during a one day visit to the country. The speech included a clear statement of support for vital tax reforms, which would lead to huge benefits for developing countries:
Young people could be helped with education if tax justice is seen (Photo: SCIAF)
"In March this year Nigeria secured the global standard for transparency in oil, gas and mining. It means companies publish what they pay and governments publish what they receive.
"And this is a vital step in making the oil, gas and mining sectors accountable and transparent and ensuring that Nigerians secure the full benefit of their mineral wealth. Because mineral wealth should be a blessing, not a curse.
"Alongside this the US has gone a step further, introducing legally binding measures to require oil, gas and mining companies to publish key financial information for each country and project they work on.
"And I'm calling on Europe to do the same. We want to disclose the payments our companies make to your governments so you can hold your governments to account for the money they receive."
It is excellent news that David Cameron has come out in support of our demands for tax justice- particularly his explicit call for the EU to match levels of disclosure set by the US last year. Equivalent accounting standards across Europe would represent a major step forward in the global campaign to end tax secrecy.
People should benefit from their resources (Photo: SCIAF)
The PM’s reference to “publish what they pay” is also extremely encouraging for members of the Publish What You Pay network, like SCIAF – this shows that the voices of our supporters are being heard at the highest level of government.
However, it is absolutely crucial that we keep the pressure on and help the issue stay on the agenda. Please take our quick action today – email the UK Treasury and call for UK corporations to pay their fair share to the people whose natural resources they benefit from.
Please share our action with your friends and family to help us reach as many people as possible.