Campaigners dismayed at dropping of Economic Crime Bill

Jan 27th, 2022

Source: Church Action for Tax Justice

For those that follow such things, it's been a bit of a shocker of a week.

We've been heartened by an apparent commitment on the part of government, to progress the Economic Crime Bill which has been languishing for - well - years, now. You might recall the Prime Minister's reference to pressing ahead with this important legislation, at the December 2021 Summit for Democracy.

So it was with dismay that we and other economic justice campaigners learnt that the bill had quietly been dropped from the schedule for the next parliamentary session. This was an especially bemusing move when corruption, and in particular the privileging of the already-wealthy, seems to be so much on peoples' minds at present.

Across the political spectrum, politicians expressed their concern. Earlier in the week Lord Agnew, a minister in the Treasury and Cabinet Office, resigned in protest at the failure to deal with alarming levels of fraudulent Covid business support loans. He has described the deferral of the Economic Crime Bill as "foolish".

All's not lost, of course. There is still time for officials and ministers to change their minds, and we're keeping in prayer that they will. A casual acceptance of wrongdoing isn't just bad for the economy and our nation's reputation - though it clearly is - it's also deeply wrong to allow this sort of behaviour to become normalised.

At a time when public trust in our leaders is clearly strained, it's easy for mistrust, fearfulness and resentment to thrive: and those emotions are neither Godly, nor good for a community. In a febrile environment, there is much to be said for those in power leading both by the example of their personal conduct, and, crucially, by the rules they create and by which our society and economy is governed.

It was a very long time ago when humankind was counselled thus: "Moreover, look for able people who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such individuals over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens" (Exodus 18:21). …but it holds as true today as it ever did.

It feels like a good time to keep in prayer not only the people we've elected, but also the important work they're charged with on our behalf. "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way" (1 Timothy 2: 1-2)