In response to Project Merlin figures

For immediate release:

David Hillman, spokesperson for the Robin Hood Tax campaign, said:

“Project Merlin was weak in substance and conjured up by the banks, yet still the targets were missed.

“If the government really wants the banks to contribute more to our economy and society ministers must do more. The Prime Minister pledged that if Project Merlin targets were not reached then the government would consider new taxes on the banks. Now is the time to honour that commitment.”

Contacts:

Simon Chouffot: 07725 879 580 simon@robinhoodtax.org.uk

Jon Slater: 07876 476 403 jslater@oxfam.org.uk

Notes to editors:

David Cameron made the comments in front of the Commons Liaison Committee on 17 May 2011.

The Robin Hood Tax campaign is a coalition of 115 UK organisations including Barnardo’s, Comic Relief, Oxfam, Friends of the Earth, Stamp Out Poverty and the TUC:www.robinhoodtax.org.uk

The campaign has 250,000 supporters and we are endorsed by over 1,000 economists and politicians from all main political parties.

We are calling for new financial sector taxes to help tackle poverty and climate change, at home and abroad.