Following the news that the Prime Minister intends to fund his bus fare cap policy by delivering international climate finance as loans, rather than grants, ActionAid UK is warning that improving people’s cost of living here in the UK does not need to be a zero sum game in which people in the Global South lose out.
Don’t throw global south countries under the bus with fare cap policy, warns ActionAid UK
Joanne O'Neill, co-director of Advocacy and Influencing at ActionAid UK, said: "Affordable public services, including transport, are vital for women and girls – wherever they live in the world. The Prime Minister’s fare cap scheme is a welcome initiative but his funding proposal throws global south countries under the bus, penalising those most impacted by a climate crisis they did not create.
“Delivering international climate finance as loans instead of grants pushes countries deeper into debt and forces them to divert funding away from essential public services such as education, health and social protection – which disproportionately impacts women and girls.
“We want to see fair, green and prosperous societies around the world. Improving people’s cost of living here in the UK does not need to be a zero sum game in which people in the Global South lose out. The government must commit to delivering international climate finance through grants, not loans, with funds raised through progressive taxes on polluting companies, and the banks which finance them. It must also support meaningful debt relief through the G20 so that countries are better able to respond, adapt to and prepare for climate shocks.”
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For more information contact the press office at uk.media@actionaid.org or on 07753 973 486
About ActionAid
https://www.actionaid.org.uk/
ActionAid is an international charity that works with women and girls living in poverty. Our dedicated local staff are changing the world with women and girls. We are ending violence and fighting poverty so that all women, everywhere, can create the future they want.