We’re still picking up the pieces from the financial crisis. While the banks are back in profit, people around the world are really feeling the effects.

We are campaigning for a new tax on the banker – a Robin Hood tax. A tiny tax on major financial transactions by banks and other big financial institutions like hedge funds would raise billions to get us out of the current mess, and provide vital extra money for poor people around the world.

• How would it raise money?

The Robin Hood tax would raise around 400 billion dollars a year, mainly from the richest institutions and people in the world. 

it would only apply on ‘wholesale’ financial markets -  so it wont effect you exchanging currency to go on holiday abroad or sending money to relatives overseas.

• How would it help?

Say the money was split between needs at home and abroad, and between development and climate change: this would still give an extra 100 billion dollars a year to development.  We could start to talk realistically about an end to poverty.

• Why now?
  

The financial crisis has created a perfect storm of opportunity for introducing this tax.  A government that chooses to cut public spending rather than raise money from the banks stands to face a huge public backlash. 

 Find out more:

• Read our briefing
• Read the Robin Hood Campaign press release
• Find out what you can do