#THREAD
While stock markets crash across the world, one set of unethical investors is doing extremely well out of the war: investors in the almost half a trillion dollar defence industry.
Is it easy for defence industry representatives lobby UK MPs?
theconversation.com/ukraine-how-th…
While stock markets crash across the world, one set of unethical investors is doing extremely well out of the war: investors in the almost half a trillion dollar defence industry.
Is it easy for defence industry representatives lobby UK MPs?
theconversation.com/ukraine-how-th…
Arms manufacturers & healthcare businesses are among private firms that have bought access to Parliament through a £13 million “back door” lobbying network.
Unregulated All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) took more than half their funding from private sector firms.
Unregulated All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) took more than half their funding from private sector firms.
APPGs are ‘informal’ groups of MPs & peers examining topics ranging from coronavirus to jazz.
Although some are supported by charities, many are almost entirely run by profit-motivated private lobbying firms, which can act as the groups’ secretariats.
opendemocracy.net/en/dark-money-…
Although some are supported by charities, many are almost entirely run by profit-motivated private lobbying firms, which can act as the groups’ secretariats.
opendemocracy.net/en/dark-money-…
Lobbyists don’t just fund parliamentary groups – they regularly act as a ‘secretariat’ for one or more APPGs, which allows them to research & write influential reports.
British American Tobacco are among those funding largely unregulated APPGs – which are & growing in numbers.
British American Tobacco are among those funding largely unregulated APPGs – which are & growing in numbers.
The number of APPGs now stands at 755 – more than the 650 MPs in Parliament.
Recent additions include the Digital Health APPG, which has already had more than £3,000 worth of donations from the Association of British HealthTech Industries. Might it relate to #NHS privatisation?
Recent additions include the Digital Health APPG, which has already had more than £3,000 worth of donations from the Association of British HealthTech Industries. Might it relate to #NHS privatisation?
A US-UK defence artificial intelligence firm has paid more than £69,000 towards the running of a new Technology & National Security APPG, formed in 2020. The fact that private firms can simply buy influence over MPs should concern every voter.
Money buys access buys power.
Money buys access buys power.
Incredibly, rules do not require APPGs to publish financial accounts, but those with higher levels of funding are required to provide a basic income statement on request.
However, when @openDemocracy asked 190 APPGs to provide these documents in 2020, 95 failed to do so.
However, when @openDemocracy asked 190 APPGs to provide these documents in 2020, 95 failed to do so.
Many APPGs operate legitimately, but their often opaque funding, & the access given to the private sector, mean they risk opening the door to another corruption scandal.
More than half of £25 MILLION worth of donations given to APPGs since 2018 has come from the private sector.
More than half of £25 MILLION worth of donations given to APPGs since 2018 has come from the private sector.
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