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Politics

Christian Aid urges politicians not to let Brexit overshadow the poor ahead of general election

It is urging politicians to prioritise the needs of the poor in their election campaigns and lead the way in tackling climate change and economic injustice in a bid to re-address the balance of wealth and improve the lives of the world's poorest, citing "inequities in power" and "oppression and exploitation" as key contributing factors.

The manifesto demands for greater measures and investment to reduce the impacts of the climate crisis on poor communities by ensuring the UK takes responsibility for reducing its carbon emissions and discouraging the use of fossil fuels.

They are also calling on the government to reform UK tax rules to prevent tax avoidance, which robs developing countries of much needed investment as well as committing to responsibly allocate 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income to foreign aid and development.

Christian aid want to see an immediate suspension to the sale of arms to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to protect Yemen civilians from being targeted and are asking for further investment and funding into global peace-making efforts to improve arms regulations, support refugees in conflict zones and expand resettlement schemes for those entering the UK.

Daisy-Rose Srblin, Christian Aid's Senior UK Advocacy Adviser, said: "At a time of considerable change and turmoil, it is critical we ask those in power to play a positive global role, and create a just and sustainable world.
 
"The UK is still the second biggest historical emitter of greenhouse gases per capita and now has a moral duty to set an example and lead the way to net-zero as soon as possible, while helping other nations to develop in a sustainable way and adapt to continuing changing environments.
 
"Despite global wealth continuing to rise, poverty persists. Governments, the private sector and wider civil society all have a crucial part to play in building just and sustainable economies so everyone cannot only survive but also thrive.
 
"As we approach a UK general election, it is critical that we ask those seeking to lead our nation to pledge to help people living in poverty. The UK has a moral obligation to the world's poorest people to act. It is a matter of justice."
 
Luke Harman, Christian Aid's Campaigns Manager, added:
 
"A general election offers a great opportunity for us to stand together with our sisters and brothers living in poverty around in the world, and to ensure their voices are raised up to people in power.

"Brexit is bound to dominate this election, and itself may affect the poorest in the UK and beyond, but we need to remind candidates asking for our votes that the scandal of international poverty is something millions of us care deeply about."

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