The tragic conflict in Ukraine has swiftly become a crisis on multiple levels. As well as the direct casualties of war, the humanitarian crisis within the country is escalating, as many are trapped in bunkers and underground stations without food and access to fresh water. Over one million people …
International Development
Why the UK is setting itself up to struggle in response to conflict in Afghanistan
Yesterday, MPs returned from their recess to the UK parliament to debate the UK’s action in Afghanistan. There was widespread criticism from both sides of the house, and questions were raised about the UK’s course of action over the last week. The government have also confirmed that a scheme to …
Statement on UK International Development spending cut
The decision to renege on the UK’s international development commitment is unfair, unwise and immoral. The UK Aid programme plays a vital role in helping to tackle poverty and support sustainable development in the poorest places in the world. The shrinking economy in 2020 already meant that …
Reaction to the Budget
In this Budget, the Chancellor faced the difficult task of setting financial and economic priorities at a time when unprecedented support has been needed, and continues to be needed, to help the country get through the pandemic. As well as setting out plans for the extension of that support, he had …
Prioritise vaccination of all vulnerable people ‘wherever they are in the world’
Very Rev Dr Susan Brown, convener of the Faith Impact Forum, asks whether the UK, which has a population of 68.2 million people, should be doing more to ensure that developing countries are able to properly protect vulnerable people and stop the spread of the virus. After a year of upheaval, …
A Fair Deal
A few years ago, I had the privilege of travelling to India. The cultural and culinary differences between the UK and India are plain to see, but I was struck by the sight of large shopping malls full of familiar, Western brands. The Indian people were buying their own products, made in India, but …
Vaccinating the World
As the UK celebrates its first COVID-19 vaccinations, the JPIT enquiry inbox has been receiving emails from church members asking if lower-income nations will be able to access vaccines and, if so, how quickly. Licencing vaccines The first hurdle is licencing one or more vaccines for …
A spending review that will hit the poorest here and abroad
Spending Reviews and budgets are always about priorities, especially when times are hard. This week, the Chancellor chose to remove money from the poorest both here and abroad, whilst massively increasing spending on the military. On many levels, these are the wrong priorities. Each of these …
Nestlé confirms Fairtrade KitKat decision
Despite a widely supported and passionate campaign over the summer, the world's largest food company, Nestlé, has confirmed its June 2020 decision to drop the Fairtrade Mark from KitKat chocolate bars. We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who supported the #KeepKitKatFairtrade …
Security, defence, and development: an integrated review
In February of this year, the Prime Minister announced an integrated review of security, defence, development and foreign policy. It would be the largest review of these areas since the end of the Cold War. At JPIT we welcomed such a wide-ranging brief. The opportunities offered by an integrated …