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The Norfolk and Norwich Christian community website

Norwich Speak take action on tax injustice

Norwich SPEAK meet Simon WrighThe Norwich SPEAK group, a group of young Christians who meet to pray and campaign about issues of social injustice, met with Simon Wright MP to discuss the christian Aid tax justice campaign.



Back in August, Norwich SPEAK lobbied Simon Wright MP regarding the tax justice campaign.  Simon had been at a previous meeting arranged by Christian Aid and Norwich SPEAK wanted to discuss the issues in more detail with him. 

Lizze Baker, organiser of Norwich SPEAK, said, "We were keen to discover Simon's personal view, the Liberal Democrat party's stance and the Coalition's stance in respect of the issue of tax dodging.  We asked Simon about the government’s plans to take action on tax dodging, both at home and abroad.  We explained why we thought it was so important that UK companies which operate in developing countries pay their fair share of tax in those countries.

"Simon told us about his support for the Tax Justice campaign and his role on the Environmental Audit Select Committee and that if we could raise the profile of the campaign he would support further action. 

"We were also keen to know how Simon's faith affects his politics and if he enjoys being an MP.  He told us that the best part of his job was being able to help people."

Following on from this meeting the Norwich SPEAK group are now going out on to the streets of Norwich to ask the people of Norwich to support this campaign by signing the Christian Aid petition “Tick for Tax Justice”.  Members of the group will be out and about on Gentlemen’s Walk on Saturday 27th October 2012.

Lizzie said: “As a group we really felt called to support this campaign as the benefits of tax revenues to developing countries are vital to those countries being able to provide their citizens with the services we take for granted, like water, roads and waste disposal.  The conservative estimate for tax revenue lost every year by developing countries is $160 billion, which is far greater than the current aid budget.  This is why we are going out on to the streets of Norwich!”

If you would like to get involved in the campaign, please contact Christian Aid Norwich or the Norwich SPEAK group (contact details below).

Click here to sign the petition online 

The Norwich SPEAK group meet monthly to discuss the issues, prepare for campaigning and pray.  If you would like to join them or for more information please see www.facebook.com/NorwichSpeak or email speaknorwich@gmail.com

For informaiton about SPEAK nationally visit www.speak.org.uk

P
ictured above: members of Norwich SPEAK with Simon Wright.



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