Tax and the Civilised Society: Action Day in London, June 8

Tax and the Civilised Society
Saturday 8th June, London, 10.30am-5.30pm

The Tax Justice Network and Tipping Point Film Fund are jointly organising a day of activity in London on Saturday 8th June designed to engage all those – public and campaigners alike – who would like to know more about why tax matters to society and therefore the need  to intensify the spotlight on tax avoidance. The day will include two film screenings with panel discussions, a ‘revelatory’ walking tour of the City of London and a great list of contributors to the day’s events.

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS – SATURDAY 8TH JUNE

10.30am-12.20pm St Ethelberga’s Centre, 78 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AG
Tax and the Global Good

Film: ‘We’re Not Broke’. (80 mins)
Award-winning director-producer team Karin Hayes and Victoria Bruce tell the story of how U.S. corporations have been able to hide over a trillion dollars from Uncle Sam, and how seven fed-up Americans from across the country, take their frustration to the streets [Screening in the beautiful Nave of the Church].   Trailer here

Panel Discussion: tax avoidance, evasion and impact on global south.

Speakers: Nick Dearden, Jubilee Debt Campaign; Liz Nelson, Tax Justice Network, Pablo Navarette, film-maker and founder of Alborada, a website covering Latin America related issues; and Tom Pursey, activist and founder member of UK Uncut. Chaired by TPFF

Special Thanks to St Ethelberga’s Centre for their hosting of this event

12.45-2.15pm The City of London (as you’ve never seen it): A walking tour into the financial heart of darkness [Please arrive 12.30 for 12.45 start. Come to Bank Station, Exit 3 and cross to our meeting place: The Royal Exchange]

Locations: Bank of England, Mansion House,  HSBC Corporate Banking Centre, Goldman Sachs and TheCityUK (advocates for UK financial services industry).

Speakers: Lord Maurice Glasman, John Christensen (Tax Justice Network), Nick Mathiason (investigative journalist), Robert Palmer (Global Witness); John Hilary (War on Want) . Learn some interesting, perhaps less well known, facts and information about the operations and activities of these major players.

3pm-5.30pm Ken Loach’s ‘Spirit of 45′ & panel discussion at the Barbican

Film: Ken Loach’s ‘Spirit of 45’ shows how the post-war Attlee government undertook the most extensive and radical overhaul of industry and public services, despite the economy being in dire straits. The ‘Spirit of 45’ legacy lives on in the NHS, but it and many other public services are under attack;  the divide between the rich and the rest, has become greater; and the nation’s political and financial power resides again, within a very small circle of decision-makers.   So what stands in the way of reviving the ‘common good?’ And how do we pay for it?  Trailer here http://www.thespiritof45.com/Watch-The-Trailer

Panel Discussion: The ‘Spirit of 45’ – reviving the ‘common good’ and how to pay for

Charity is a cold grey loveless thing. If a rich man wants to help the poor, he should pay his taxes gladly, not dole out money at a whim’. Clement Attlee, 1920.

The ever growing public awareness of the tax avoidance and evasion issue is central to how we put ‘austerity’ in context and challenge the prevailing orthodoxy that there is ‘no money’ available to protect public services and the most vulnerable in our society.  Can we achieve a more equitable society without tax ‘justice’?

Speakers: John Hilary, War on Want (Chair); John Christensen (Tax Justice Network); Polly Courtney (author Golden Handcuffs, a biting semi-autobiographical exposé on life in the Square Mile and a regular commentator in the press as well the BBC and Channel 4 News); Jeremy Hardy (TBC)

Special thanks to Dogwoof and the Barbican.

We hope there is something here to whet your appetite and that we’ll see you at one or more of the events on the day!

Booking Information:

1. The morning film & discussion ‘We’re Not Broke’ at St Ethelberga’s is free of charge.
To reserve, please email info@tippingpointfilmfund.com Email subject:  RSVP St Ethelbergas

2. The lunchtime walk in the City of London is free of charge.
To reserve, please email info@tippingpointfilmfund.com Email subject  RSVP City Walk

3. The afternoon screening & panel discussion, Ken Loach’s Spirit of 45 at the Barbican is ticketed and can be booked directly at the Barbican Box Office.

Do feel free to join us for one, two or all three events!
Best wishes,

TPFF and TJN

For more information please email either:
Deborah@tippingpointfilmfund.com
Liz@taxjustice.net

www.tippingpointfilmfund.com
www.taxjustice.net