Put People First Platform

Put People First was a platform of more than 160 civil society organisations, built in response to the financial and economic crisis in 2008 and 2009, calling for a democratised economy that delivers secure jobs and public services, an end to poverty and inequality and a green economy.

Put People First Policy Paper

The Put People First Policy Paper was codrafted by member organisations of the Platform. It highlights the key demands to the UK government to ensure a progressive response to the financial and economic crisis and a real reform of the international financial system.

Read the whole Put People First Policy Paper and see all signatories to the paper.

Executive Summary of the Put People First Policy Paper

The global financial and economic system is in crisis. Existing economic policies and institutions have overseen an economic system scarred by high levels of poverty and inequality, which is contributing to an environmental catastrophe.

Blind faith in the virtues of markets, and inadequate public control, regulation and accountability of finance are at the heart of the financial crisis. Before the financial crisis, people across the world and in Britain were already suffering from the effects of rising food prices, inadequate essential services and the threat of climate chaos.

There can be no return to business as usual.Fundamental change is needed.

This paper is the result of an unprecedented collaboration between a wide spectrum of civil society organisations with millions of members from across the nation. We call on the UK government to show its commitment to putting people first by signalling an historic break with the failed policies of the past, and the start of a new system that seeks to make the economy work for people and the planet.

We call on the government to prioritise the essential changes listed below, as the first step towards building this new system.

Put People First: Ensure democratic governance of the economy

Compel tax havens to abide by strict international rules.
Insist on fundamental governance reform of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Make all financial institutions, financial products and multinationals transparent and publicly accountable.

Jobs: Decent jobs and public services for all

Ensure a massive investment in a green new deal to build a green economy based on decent work and fair pay.
Invest in and strengthen public provision of essential services.
Work to ensure sufficient emergency funding to all countries that need it, without damaging conditionalities attached.

Justice: End global poverty and inequality

Deliver 0.7% of national income as aid by 2013, deliver aid more effectively and push for the cancellation of all illegitimate and unpayable developing country debts.
Ensure that poorer states are allowed to take responsibility for managing their economies, including controlling cross-border capital flows.
Stop pushing developing countries to liberalise and deregulate their economies, and do not attempt to rush through a completion of the Doha trade round, a deal that developing countries have rejected several times.

Climate: Build a Green Economy

In addition to the green new deal (recommendation 4), introduce the robust regulatory requirements and financial incentives needed to deliver a green economy.
Push for a deal at Copenhagen to agree substantial, verifiable cuts in greenhouse gases, which will limit temperature increases to well below 2°C.
Commit to substantial new resource transfer from North to South, additional to Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), to support adaptation and sustainable development in poor countries.

These recommendations provide an integrated package to help world leaders chart a path out of recession. Creating a fair, functioning global economy means rapidly addressing climate change. Building a low-carbon economy requires massive public investment in decent green jobs and public services. A new green deal cannot be financed without significant tax reforms. Democratic, transparent and accountable financial institutions are necessary to deliver the changes required.

The first step will be a transparent and accountable process for reforming the international financial system. This will require the consultation of all governments, parliaments, trade unions and civil society, with the United Nations (UN) playing a key role.

We call on the UK government and other countries to seize this opportunity to start building an economy that puts people and the planet first. The policies set out in this paper offer the essential building blocks for undertaking this transformation.

Member Login

Not a member? Apply now