Financial Transparency Coalition

Today in the UK’s Guardian newspaper, Armando Barrientos argues that rather than the “aid industry” (as he describes it), transferring money and resources directly to the poor would be much more effective. This is an appealing argument. If poverty is at heart a lack of power, then providing cash, without conditions, to the poor restores some of that power. After all, aren’t those in poverty best placed to know their needs? Initiatives such as the Basic Income Project...

In May 2010, Christian Aid published a report entitled ‘Tax of Life’ highlighting the impact of tax dodging on Irish Aid programme countries. It’s a somewhat obvious point. Why would a country in times of austerity give aid to a country without considering the impact of international policies on the ability of that country to develop. Tax is something that is growing in importance in the development world. The European Council recently published conclusions which approved a paper emphasising...

A group of experts chaired by Nobel laureate Prof. Joseph Stiglitz has called for an end to offshore and onshore financial centres. The draft report of the UN commission on the reform of the international monetary and financial system, presents a range of proposals for the reform of the global financial architecture following the global financial crisis. Most notably, the report highlights how onshore and offshore tax havens have contributed to the so called, 'shadow banking system' and the problem of illicit capital flight, arguing that 'well regulated economies have to be protected from those that are under- or...