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David Martin backs local campaigners in their call for a Robin Hood Tax

David Martin backs Oxfam's Robin Hood Tax campaignScotland's Euro MP David Martin has backed local campaigners in their call for a Robin Hood Tax to make banks and other financial service companies pay their fair share.

 

Campaign groups and trade unions, including Oxfam and the TUC, have been campaigning today (Thursday 17 February) in advance of a meeting of G20 finance ministers in Paris on Friday.

 

Campaigners dressed as Robin Hood have been sending arrows to embassies and politicians with their message that they want financial services to pay their fair share in the tax system.

 

Oxfam supporters sent an arrow to MEPs in Strasbourg and Labour's David Martin, has backed the campaign: "At a time when the government is slashing spending, the financial services sector isn't paying its fair share.

 

"From Scotland to Washington, people have been aiming their Robin Hood message at ministers around the world.

 

"We want to see a very small tax on global financial transactions. It could raise a huge amount of money for public coffers by taxing risky short term speculation, without harming finance flowing to the real economy.

 

"Ministers must bow to public pressure and make clear that they believe in a taxation system that is fair to everyone."