1-6-10 A recent IMF report titled ‘Preserving debt sustainability in low-income countries in the wake of the global crisis’ has highlighted the impact of the financial crisis on the debts of the poorest countries. The IMF stalled short of predicting a ‘systematic debt crisis’ however did so on the basis of optimistic assumptions around good growth recovery in the world economy and fiscal austerity by affected Governments.

5-5-10 Jubilee Scotland joined forces with Christian Aid to urge Holyrood to take more action against the capital flight that undermines aid, at the same time unveiling a new report at the Cross Party Group conference. It demonstrated how Malawi and Bangladesh have been severely affected by debt, highlighting the importance of maintaining a focus on this issue despite massive successes for the debt justice movement such as HIPC.

21-4-10 The World Bank last week approved a $3.75 billion loan to South African’s energy suppliers Eskom to help build Medupi power station, a 4,800 MW coal-fired power plant in Lephalale in the Waterberg. The campaigning of Jubilee Scotland and other agencies meant that the UK did not support the vote, but their abstention is far from an adequate response to this huge loan which promises little in the way of pro-poor impact.

8-4-10 With an election called for May 6, the UK public is being urged to Vote Global, and choose representatives in Wesminster who put a priority on the alleviation - rather than the worsening - of global poverty. To facilitate this, civil society organisations have put together an election manifesto which sets out the goals and strategies that  representatives should sign up to - click here to download a copy of this manifesto.