• Economics

    How to assess the G20

    3rd April 2009 — Filed under: Economics, International

    Nigel Stanley Nigel Stanley

    One reason I’ve not been blogging much in recent weeks is that I’ve been devoting large parts of my waking hours (with many others) to organising last Saturday’s splendid Put People First march for jobs, justice and climate. Now of course the G20 summit is over and we are in the post-match analysis stage.

    Yesterday everyone with an interest in its conclusions were publishing instant reactions (including the TUC) and trying to get in the media. But something as complex and far-reaching as a summit – particularly this one – does not lend itself to easy or swift analysis. Indeed we probably won’t be able to give a real verdict for about a decade. But this did not stop any of us producing a rapid judgment and there were some interesting differences in emphasis from organisations that make up Put People First.

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  • Web links

    links for 2009-04-01

    1st April 2009 — Filed under: Web links

    • powerful video short on the human impact of the recession, shown at the London G20 rally on Saturday.
      (tags: jobs)
    • The minimum wage is 10 years old today. Unison and other groups have produced a campaign site, to help encourage the Government and Low Pay Commission to defend and improve this employment right that's made such a difference for many of Britain's lowest paid workers.
      (tags: minimumwage)
    • New research commissioned by Christian Aid shows how billions of pounds are lost each year to countries both rich and poor through tax dodging. False Profits (see what they did there?) reveals the devastating impact of ‘trade mispricing’, an accounting practice that involves manipulating figures to keep profits low in countries where they will incur a higher level of tax. Author Dr David McNair, Christian Aid’s senior economic justice adviser, says: "Paying as little tax as possible, regardless of the social consequences, has for many become an acceptable way of doing business. The money lost could be used to provide schools, hospitals and better living conditions worldwide."

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