Take Action!

Jubilee Scotland asks you to call on MPs to support a 10 Minute Bill which seeks to clean up the Export Credit Guarantees Department (ECGD).

On 27th April Lisa Nandy MP will introduce the Export Credit Guarantees Department Bill) At present, the ECGD lacks transparency and accountability, and its activities fuel poverty, human rights abuses and environmental destruction. The Bill seeks to make the ECGD more accountable and ensure its operations are in line with wider government  policy on promoting development and human rights.

Read the full report on what the ECGD gets up to, here.

What can you do?

Write to your MP and ask them to attend and support Lisa Nandy's 10 Minute Bill on 27th April. Simply copy the letter below (or download from the bottom of the page), adapt the relevant sections and then either post it or email it to your MP.

Download the full Briefing for MPs from the bottom of the page.

Letter Template
Instructions for use:

• Amend the text marked in <bold>
• Send the letter to your local MSP. To find out who your MSP is click here. The letter will have more impact if it is sent through the post. However, if this is not possible, please do still send it via email. 
• If you receive a reply please forward a copy to Kat Banyard: kat@jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk; Jubilee Debt Campaign, The Grayston Centre, 28 Charles Square, London. N1 6HT

<Your Address>

House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA

<Date>

Dear <name of your MP> MP,

Re: Please attend and support Lisa Nandy MP's Ten Minute Rule Bill to reform the ECGD on 27th April 2011

I am writing as a member of your constituency to request that you attend and support the first reading of The Export Credits Guarantee Department (Regulation and Reporting) Bill, a Ten Minute Rule Bill being introduced by Lisa Nandy MP on Wednesday 27th April. 

I am deeply concerned about the way the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) currently operates. The department uses public money to provide financial backing for exports by private companies, mostly to developing countries. Yet the deals that are backed, and how these are managed and monitored, are shielded from democratic scrutiny and accountability. I have also been deeply disturbed to learn that the deals which are given financial backing fuel environmental destruction, poverty and human rights abuses in the developing world. It is simply unacceptable that a British Government department should use public money for purposes that harm the environment and people in some of the world's poorest countries.  

<Include the line - As a signatory of EDM 622: Export Credits Guarantee Department - if your MP has signed EDM 622. To find out click here> I strongly urge you to support The Export Credits Guarantee Department (Regulation and Reporting) Bill, which seeks to ensure the ECGD is more accountable and its operations are in line with wider government policy on promoting human rights, environmental sustainability and economic growth in the developing world.

The Export Credits Guarantee Department (Regulation and Reporting) Bill is co-sponsored by a cross-party group of MPs: Roger Williams MP, Zac Goldsmith MP, Tony Cunningham MP, Bob Russell MP, Caroline Lucas MP, Eilidh Whiteford MP, Sheila Gilmore MP and Teresa Pearce MP.

The Bill is also supported by a network of organisations campaigning for reform of the ECGD, including: Jubilee Debt Campaign, Amnesty International UK, The Co-operative Group, Jubilee Scotland, WWF-UK, The Global Poverty Project, Compass, Campaign Against Arms Trade, RAID, The Corner House and the Trade Justice Movement.

The first reading of the Bill in the Commons will be on Wednesday 27th April following Urgent Questions and Ministerial Statements at 12.30pm. I very much hope you will attend and support it.

I look forward to hearing from you on this important matter.

Many Thanks,

<Your name>