Hello all - a summary of a free local event I organised recently:

On Tuesday 21st Oct 2014 we ran the first event in support of ActionAid's Towns Against Tax Dodging Campaign. 

Held in the Cypriot Community Centre in Wood Green, we showed a presentation on tax dodging, followed by discussion and brainstorming. We had a great turn out of around 25 people of all ages, who came to hear more about what we, as a community, can do to stop the widespread practice of tax avoidance.

It is currently estimated that the UK looses £12B each year to tax dodging. What's worse is the fact that developing countries loose three times more money than they receive in aid EVERY YEAR. This is something that cannot go on and needs to be properly addressed by any government that wants to be voted in next year.

For those of you who haven't heard of the campaign - we want to get as many people as possible to sign up and send a pre-written email to councillors asking them to pass a motion of support - it's really easy - all you have to do is type in your postcode on the website below. Also - very importantly - we want to sign up small businesses. If you sign your business up it will appear on our interactive map on the ActionAid website, which will be seen by thousands of people across the UK. All you need to do is fill in the short online form - or let me now you want to support us and I may be able to come down in person!

So far:
over 9000 people across the UK have emailed their councillors
including 70 people in Haringey
15 borough councils have passed motions
HARINGEY HASN'T - we need to change this.

As the Local Organiser for Haringey, I recently met with Councillor Anne Waters, to discuss passing a motion. It didn't sound promising but the council has the ability to pass a motion, we just need to persuade them that this is something worth speaking out about

- So - Next steps/plans are:

1. Organise a free screening of The UK Gold, a documentary film exposing the widespread use of tax havens by big companies and wealthy individuals to avoid paying tax.

2. Organising a group lobby of the Haringey Council leader - the more people that come, the better chance we have of applying pressure for the council to act. More than happy to meet up and have a cat with anyone interested in lobbying, one to one or as a group!

This about normal people in Haringey getting involved as a community, demanding that those who represent us realise that we are paying close attention to what's going on in the offshore world. In the run up to the general election there is no better time to get active. 

Please don't hesitate to contact me on here or on sophie.actionaid@gmail.com if you have any questions or want more info ;)

Towns Against Tax Dodging Website:
http://www.townsagainsttaxdodging.org.uk/

To email your councillor:
http://campaigns.actionaid.org.uk/page/speakout/townsagainsttaxdodg...

The interactive map:
http://www.townsagainsttaxdodging.org.uk/map

Online form for businesses to sign up:
http://campaigns.actionaid.org.uk/page/s/townsagainsttaxdodging_bus...