350 Economists Call on G20 leaders to introduce a Robin Hood Tax

This is the complete text of a letter calling for a financial transaction tax. It is signed by 350 economists from dozens of countries, including two Nobel laureates. 

'Dear G20

As economists from across the world, we call on you to implement a financial transaction tax (FTT).

This tax is an idea that has come of age. The financial crisis has shown us the dangers of unregulated finance, and the link between the financial sector and society has been broken. It is time to fix this link and for the financial sector to give something back to society.

Even at very low rates of 0.05% or less, this tax could raise hundreds of billions of dollars annually and calm excessive speculation. The UK already levies a tax on sharetransactions of 0.5%, or ten times this rate, without unduly impacting on the competitiveness of the City of London.

This money is urgently needed. The crises of poverty and of climate change require an historic transfer of billions of dollars from the rich world to the poor world, and this tax would offer a clear way to help fund this.

Given the automation of payments, this tax is technically feasible. It is morally right. We call on you to implement it as a matter of urgency. '

Read a discussion by Sean O'Grady in the  Independent.