Last week the government announced they would cut the UK’s international aid budget by 40%. This comes after an almost 30% cut in 2021.
We believe this is not only wrong but unnecessary. The UK is a rich country – the government could tax wealth more to maintain lifesaving aid to some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
This would not only save lives but help tackle conflict and disease that destabilise our world.
We pushed back
We acted quickly to respond to the government.
We helped our allies write an open letter to the government. It was signed by over 138 charity and non-profit leaders – including Oxfam GB, Christian Aid, Comic Relief and ActionAid.
They demanded the government maintain the aid budget by increasing taxes on the richest.
“A wealth tax of just 2% on wealth above £10 million (affecting just 0.04% of the population) would raise £24bn annually”, the letter says.
You may recognise this figure because it’s Tax Justice UK’s own wealth tax policy.
The £24bn raised would be enough to keep the aid budget as it is – and leave £18bn to invest in the NHS, the social security net and other key services we rely on.
It was incredible to see our tax reform proposals endorsed by leaders across the charity sector – and taken to the heart of government.
MPs join the fight
Earlier this week many Labour MPs joined campaigners in criticising the government’s decision to cut the aid budget.
A group of MPs wrote to the Prime Minister, again quoting our wealth tax proposal.
“No government should balance its books on the backs of the world’s most marginalised people”, they wrote.
“Sources of financing are available which punish neither British voters nor the world’s poor. These include a tax on ultra-high-net worth individuals,” reads the letter – which then goes on to quote our wealth tax policy.
It’s really exciting to see our research being used in such a proactive way by MPs and leaders in the charity sector.
Do you agree the government should tax the super rich more instead cutting international aid and public services? Sign our new petition on 38 Degrees.