ALL ABOARD THE TAX JUSTICE BUS: NEXT STOP INVERNESS
5-Oct-2012
On 4th October the Tax Justice Bus will pull into Inverness as part of a 53-day tour of the UK and Ireland to highlight how global tax dodging is hurting the poor in the UK and beyond.
Local supporters will welcome Christian Aid and Church Action on Poverty's red double-decker as it stops at Inshes Church in Sir Walter Scott Drive at 7.30pm. Inverness residents are invited to get on board and learn how they can make a difference in the fight for tax justice.
Following this event, Highland MP Danny Alexander has agreed to a private meeting with representatives of local churches, who are concerned about the impact of tax dodging and will be asking him to join the movement for tax justice.
Tax dodging is an injustice that keeps some people poor while others get richer. It robs countries of the taxes they are owed - money that could be spent on essential services such as health, education and welfare.
Paul Brannen, Christian Aid, said:
"We estimate that tax dodging by some unscrupulous multinational companies costs developing countries at least $160 billion a year, that's one-and-a-half times the total global aid budget. It's money that could be used to make huge improvements to public services such as healthcare and education, better enabling people to sustain themselves. By making changes to the tax system, people across the world can live healthier, happier and less hungry lives."
Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey MP Danny Alexander says:
"Liberal Democrats in Government are working hard to tackle tax evasion and avoidance. I am delighted to join Christian Aid Bus to draw attention to this issue. That is why I am currently overseeing efforts to claw back an estimated extra £7 billion a year by 2015 by closing tax loopholes and investing more resources to catch tax dodgers.
"At a time when many people are having to tighten their belts, it is vital that everyone plays by the same rules. We are clamping down on tax havens, and ensuring that those who receive taxpayers money play by the rules. Those who dodge paying tax are taking vital resources away from public services, and make everyone else pay more."
The Tax Justice Bus will be making over 100 stops around the UK, with politicians, church leaders, thousands of campaigners and members of the public invited to step on board and show their support for an end to tax dodging. During the Scottish leg of its journey the bus will be in Dumfries, Alloway, Glasgow, Edinburgh, St Andrews, Inverness and Inverurie.
To find out more about the Tax Justice Bus tour follow us on Twitter @taxbus2012 and to take the‘Tick for tax Justice' campaign action visit www.christianaid.org.uk/tax-busor www.church-poverty.org.uk/taxbus
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Notes for editors:
If you would like further information or high res photography of the tax bus please contact Jen Clark at [email protected] or on 0141 241 6140, 07969157856.
Speakers available for interview include: Lidy Nacpil from Christian Aid partner Jubilee South in the Philippines; Danny Alexander MP; and a spokesperson from Church Action on Poverty.
Local and international case study stories are available with supporting photographs.
