30 September 2011
Faith groups welcome FTT proposal by European Commission
Members of the Faith Group of the Robin Hood Tax campaign
welcomed Wednesday's announcement by European Commission president
Barroso that the Commission has adopted a proposal to set-up a
financial transaction tax (FTT) in the 27 member states of the
European Union. However, the group is seriously concerned that the
British government does not appear to be willing to sign up to
these plans. We believe that for them to fail to do so undermines
the whole project and urge our government to reconsider their
stance.
Speaking on behalf of the Faith Group, the Revd Roberta Rominger,
general secretary of the United Reformed Church, said: "This is
positive news amidst all the economic gloom and turmoil in the EU
region at the moment. As faith communities we urge the British
Government and other partners in the G20 to follow the courageous
and innovative step taken by the European Commission in seeking to
implement a Financial Transaction Tax. This will be good for
Britain, good for Europe, good for the world.
"The financial sector bears a huge responsibility for the current
economic crisis and must make a fair contribution to help finance
the massive deficits in EU member states. There is a moral
imperative to use the Robin Hood Tax to fill the gap in urgently
needed funding to tackle climate change and poverty at home and
abroad. It's in everyone's interests to find new sources of finance
to tackle these global challenges" she added.