Pre-Budget action
14 June 2010
The Robin Hood Tax campaign is pushing MPs to use the Budget this month to introduce a Robin Hood Tax to help poor people at home and abroad, and tackle climate change. And the TUC and Robin Hood Tax campaign are both warning that putting up VAT instead would be a big mistake.
You can join the campaign and make a difference (see more below) by:
Two reports from the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) show just how bad a VAT increase would be. It would hit the poorest families and the smallest firms hardest, but would only raise £11 billion. A Robin Hood Tax, on the contrary, would raise £20 billion and would be paid mostly by those most able to pay.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'The Chancellor should resist the temptation to be VATman when he presents his Budget. VAT increases don't just hit the poor more than the rich, they also hit small firms, threaten retail jobs and by boosting inflation could also lead to higher interest rates.
'There are much fairer ways to raise revenue such as a Robin Hood Tax on financial transactions and Capital Gains Tax. The only VAT changes the Chancellor should contemplate are ending the zero rates on private healthcare and education that only the rich can afford.'
The Robin Hood Tax campaign is asking people to take action in two ways:
So, go to the Robin Hood Tax campaign website and take action NOW!
Within hours of the 'crowd-sourcing' web page going live on Friday, we had enough money for one billboard at Westminster, but we want to plaster the place with the same message, so keep the donations coming. Here's what you can do to get your fellow union members, friends, families and workmates involved:
The e-action will run till 22 June.
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