UK-based international development agency Christian Aid has welcomed Labour leader Ed Miliband’s determination to tackle the tax havens which are harming UK public finances but it urges him to go further, because financial secrecy is a curse for poor countries too.
The intervention comes as the opposition leader and the Conservative Prime Minister exchange words about 'responsible capitalism' which critics say have rested on amelioration rather than a tackling of fundamental problems and injustices.
"It’s great that Mr Miliband has recognised that tax haven secrecy is damaging people in the UK, by providing a cover for people and companies to hide their wealth and avoid paying the taxes that are so urgently needed," commented Dr David McNair, Christian Aid’s Principal Adviser on Economic Justice, earlier this week.
But, he added, "We now hope the Labour leader will also recognise that financial secrecy has devastating effects on public services and people’s lives across the world, especially in poor countries."
"Christian Aid estimates that tax dodging costs poor countries $160 billion a year, which is much more than they receive in aid. So they, too, need action to shed light on offshore accounts and other wealth which may be liable for tax," explained Dr McNair.
"This is an international problem and it demands international solutions, starting with a global end to tax haven secrecy. It would be fantastic to see the Labour party join the campaign to End Tax Haven Secrecy, demanding that G20 countries commit to a global deal under which all tax havens have to reveal that information to all tax authorities. Only then will tax dodgers have nowhere to hide," added the agency's leading economist.
In 2011, a range of development agencies and NGOs, including Christian Aid, delivered a petition to G20 chair Nicolas Sarkozy, which was signed by 40,000 people, and 52 organisations from more than 20 countries.
Dr McNair said: "As a first step, we encourage Mr Miliband to do all he can to reverse the UK’s shameful deal with Switzerland, one of the most globally harmful of all tax havens, which effectively rewards offshore tax evaders and undermines the global call for tax haven transparency."
* Also on Ekklesia: 'Responsible finance and economic justice', by Dr David McNair - http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/15786
* 'Behind the weak rhetoric of "responsible capitalism",' by Jonathan Bartley - http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/16121
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