As ‘Decent work for all’ is one of the SDGs, understanding what decent work means in context is important. Here, Francis Stuart talks about the new publication ‘Decent work for Scotland’s low paid workers: a job to be done’, what people say and how perception of decent work differs from Scotland today. he promotion of ‘decent work for all’ is …
Thank you, Mossack Fonseca, for a textbook case study
OPINION: In light of the Panama Papers, tax havens have come under more scrutiny than ever before. Here Franziska Mager, Research Assistant at Oxfam, delves into why these leaks show the links between inequality and tax havens. The Panama Papers, like previous leaks, have had an almost movielike quality. If you are reading this, you have probably found yourself glued …
Extreme wealth is threatening women’s fight for equality
OPINION: Women are multiply disadvantaged in the global economy. Tackling gender injustices could lead to both women’s economic empowerment and wider economic growth, but as Francesca Rhodes explains this must be done carefully to ensure that it results in a more equal society overall. Worldwide, women are at an economic disadvantage compared to men. Whether this is women in India …
Why London needs an Inequality Commissioner
OPINION: The divide between the richest and the poorest in the UK is growing, and the gap is seen most starkly in London. That’s why Oxfam is calling for an Inequality Commissioner to work with the Mayor of London on tackling poverty and inequality in the Capital, as Vicky Taylor explains. In London the wealth of the richest 10 percent …
Social security cuts risk widening UK regional inequalities
OPINION: Graham Whitham, Senior Policy Advisor on UK Poverty, warns that the latest government budget decisions will have a negative impact on already high levels of poverty and inequality in the UK. Sheffield Hallam University recently published research showing how cuts to social security spending announced since the 2015 General Election fall geographically across Great Britain. The research, co-funded by …
Tackling inequality and unsustainable consumption – together
OPINION: In many countries economic inequality is growing and the wealthiest are also those with the biggest carbon footprints. Dario Kenner, Independent Researcher, suggests that governments should act to reduce inequality and overconsumption in tandem. If governments are serious about meeting their commitments to tackle climate change they must ensure their policies in other areas such as inequality are compatible …
Tax havens: Not as far away as you think
OPINION: A new Oxfam report highlighted this week that because the UK heads up the world’s biggest financial secrecy network, spanning its Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories and centred on the City of London, it has an unparallelled opportunity to help end the era of tax havens. Luke Gibson, Tax and Inequality Policy Adviser, takes us through how these tax …
Social change for and by young women
What’s the most effective way of supporting young women to create the change they want to see in the world? FRIDA | The Young Feminist Fund, The Global Fund for Women, Oxfam and the Young Foundation are collaborating to respond to this question. Aly Marczynski explains how. The Roots Lab, a new social innovation lab, will test the most effective …
Addressing equity through taxation: A view from Kenya
Tax revenue is a vital source of funding for essential services such as infrastructure, health and education. In Kenya tax revenue has increased in recent years but Martin Napisa, from the Kenyan National Taxpayers Association argues that action should be taken to make the tax system more effective and fair. n recent years, the icy state of the world economy …
For richer or poorer: from Brazil to Indonesia
In the emerging economies the fruits of growth are too often not being shared with the majority of the population. Thomas Dunmore Rodriguez, National Influencing Adviser for Latin America, reveals a growing trend of wealth and power being captured by the elite. It is scandalous that in 2015, just 62 individuals had the same wealth as 3.6 billion people. A …