November 2012
Christian Aid Scotland would like to say a big thank you to everyone who got involved with the tax justice bus.
It was great to take the message of tax justice on the road as part of a UK-wide tour, and our successful Scottish programme of events took us through Dumfries, Ayr, Glasgow, Edinburgh, St Andrews, Inverness and Inverurie.
Why we were touring: tax justice
Tax dodging costs developing countries an estimated $160bn every year - one and a half times what they receive in international aid!
This is caused by loopholes in the global financial system and some unscrupulous companies who seek to exploit them. We took our double-decker bus around the country to bring people together in a bid to end this gross injustice.
Who we had on board
We welcomed Lidy Nacpil, who works for Christian Aid partner Jubilee South in the Philippines, to share her experiences of how tax dodging affects the lives of people in the poorest countries round the world.
As the tax bus was organised in partnership with Church Action on Poverty, we were also delighted to have Alison Prout with us to talk about how tax dodging affects lives and livelihoods in the UK.
Throughout the country we met with supporters at community events, welcomed church leaders on board for meetings and Bible Studies, and lobbied politicians on the need to end the injustice of tax dodging.
It was great to see so many people enthusiastic about raising awareness of the need for tax justice, and we want to thank everyone who was involved in organising and attending events, and taking the campaign action.
What difference did five days in Scotland make?
At every stop in Scotland, the tax bus received a warm welcome from Christian Aid supporters and public figures alike.
In Dumfries we met with supporters and a local MSP.
In Alloway we parked outside the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum for an event with churches in the area.
In Glasgow we met with school pupils, parked in George Square for storytelling, welcomed local ministers on board, and invited the public to a panel debate at night.
In Edinburgh we had a Bible Study with Scottish Church Leaders, talked to students and passers-by, took a drive by Edinburgh Castle, spent time outside the Scottish Parliament with MSPs, and had a great turnout for an evening panel debate.
In St Andrews we met with supporters and local MP, Sir Menzies Campbell.
In Inverness we had a meeting on board the bus with church leaders and Danny Alexander MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
In Inverurie our supporters welcomed Sir Malcolm Bruce MP on board.
Video: Rt Rev Albert Bogle
Watch this short video of Rt Rev Albert Bogle, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland talking about the tax bus.
Did you tick for tax justice?
Many of you took the ‘Tick for tax justice’ action, whether you were at the bus, on our website, or perhaps via a campaign card you got from someone else who was on board. Thank you for adding your voice.
If you haven’t yet taken the Tick for tax justice campaign action , it would be great if you could help us call on the Prime Minister to use his global leadership to end financial secrecy so that tax dodgers have nowhere to hide.
What more can you do?
Act now
For further information, contact Diane Green, Christian Aid Scotland's campaigns officer by emailing dgreen@christian-aid.org, or call her on 0141 241 6136.