‘G20 heads for jobs, climate disaster’
05 November 2009
NEWS PEGSFriday-Saturday, 6-7 November 2009
G20 finance ministers hold talks at St Andrews in Scotland
Saturday, 7 November 2009
Coalition representing over 10 million people, Put People First, including War on Want, other anti-poverty organisations, trade unions and development, environmental and faith groups, stages G20 counter conferences in London and St Andrews
Ministers warned of huge economic losses
British chancellor Alistair Darling and finance ministers from the world's leading economies are today accused of sticking to policies which threaten higher unemployment and climate chaos.
The anti-poverty charity War on Want says the ministers' talks in the Scottish town of St Andrews tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday will spell disaster if they maintain the same approach and policies that sparked the global economic crisis.
John Hilary, the charity's executive director, will propose alternative policies at a London counter conference on Saturday with speakers including Danish ex-prime minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, MP Jon Cruddas and Green party leader Caroline Lucas.
The conference has been organised by a coalition representing more than 10 million people, Put People First, including War on Want, other anti-poverty organisations, trade unions and development, environmental and faith groups.
The International Labour Organisation estimates this year will end with 239 million jobless people worldwide - up a third compared to the 2007 level - with youth unemployment rising by up to 18 million to 90 million.
War on Want calls for a crackdown on tax havens. Britain loses an estimated £100 billion a year in tax dodges - enough to avoid feared health service cuts. And unpaid tax costs the developing world £250 billion a year.
The charity, with Put People First, is also demanding greater investment in public services, new jobs through a green global economy and steep emission cuts for developed nations at the UN summit in Copenhagen next month.
Mr Hilary said: "The G20 finance ministers have failed to learn the lessons from the financial crisis. Instead, they are merely tweaking a system which continues to favour the rich at the expense of the poor. We need a radical response from the G20 - not more of the same."
Protestors from Put People First will march in St Andrews on Saturday to demand ministers adopt policies which prioritise people's needs over corporate greed.
NOTES TO EDITORS
- The Put People First conference in London will take place from 10.00 am-5.30 pm on Saturday at Central Hall, Storey's Gate, Westminster, SW1H 9NH.
- Campaigners from the coalition will stage a beach rally and picture opportunity on Saturday at St Andrews to show ministers' heads in the sand over the global economic crisis. The event will take place at 11.15 am at West Sands.
- Activists will march at 12.30 pm from the beach to the university.
- The alliance will hold a conference at the university from 1.30-6.00 pm. Speakers will include Kevin Dunion, rector of St Andrews University, Colin Hines, director of Finance for the Future and co-author of The Green New Deal, and Ugandan development campaigner Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe. The event will take place at St Andrews Students' Association, St Mary's Place, St Andrews KY16 9UZ.
CONTACT: Paul Collins, War on Want media office (+44) (0)20 7549 0584 or (+44) (0)7983 550728
