Let’s build a fair and sustainable future, Quakers say as budget spares polluters and the super-rich
Rooted in their commitment to equality and peace, Quakers say the government has missed a major opportunity to use this year's budget to make oil and gas giants pay for the climate damage they have caused.
Joining other charities in the Make Polluters Pay (MPP) coalition, Quakers in Britain said that the government had failed to use the opportunity backed by 8 in 10 people.
The joint statement from groups including Greenpeace and Christian Aid continued: “Instead, the OBR forecasts a £2.5bn loss in tax income from the industry next year alone, in part, through loopholes for company mergers."
MPP said the excessively profitable oil and gas industry should be taxed far more to cover the climate costs hitting households through rising energy, food and insurance bills.
This is all happening, they said, “whilst communities around the world are facing hunger, poverty and displacement in the face of climate disasters."
The statement finished: “The government was right to confirm that it will not grant new fossil fuel licenses, although we're disappointed that it will allow expansion of existing wells when burning fossil fuels is the biggest ongoing threat to our economy and communities."
JustMoney
Before Wednesday's budget, Quakers in Britain also joined a coalition of 17 faith organisations, coordinated by JustMoney Movement, in urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to raise and reform taxes on wealth in Wednesday's Budget.
The group, including JustMoney Movement, Christian Aid, Faith for the Climate, and Muslim Aid, argued that bold action was needed to tackle poverty, inequality, and the climate crisis.
These included a wealth tax on the super-rich (top 0.04 per cent), a reform of capital gains tax and proper resourcing of HMRC.
Oliver Robertson, head of witness and worship for Quakers in Britain, said: “Quakers believe that we are all children of God, called to show care for one another and the environment upon which we depend.
“The right sharing of our resources such as through a just taxation system can help to build a fair, compassionate, peaceful and sustainable future for us all."