From Mr Andrew Hogg
Sir, — Thank you for running the article by Dr Paula Clifford outlining the theological basis for Christian Aid’s present campaign for tax justice in the war against poverty (Comment, 20 February).
Readers wondering how they can support the campaign are urged to visit the following page on Christian Aid’s website: www.christianaid.org. uk/tax. There they will be encouraged to email their local MPs, asking them, in turn, to lobby the Prime Minister about the need for an end to offshore banking secrecy.
At present, creative accounting enables multinational companies to reduce their tax liabilities in poorer countries that lack the resources and expertise to challenge them. Profits are artificially depressed, and the true amounts are hidden in offshore accounts to minimise the tax bill.
Christian Aid estimates that, every year, tax avoidance deprives the developing world of at least $US160 billion in lost corporate tax. Such an amount, if used according to current spending patterns, could save the lives of 350,000 children under the age of five annually.
The campaign calls for new rules that would force multinational companies to reveal the profits made and the taxes paid in every country where they operate.
We want Gordon Brown to take this message to the G20 when it meets in London in April to encourage other world leaders to press for country by country reporting.
ANDREW HOGG
Campaigns Editor
Christian Aid
35 Lower Marsh
London SE1 7RT