Robin Hood Tax begins in France
1 October 2012. Related: Treatment access.
Rebecca McDowall, HIV i-Base
The Robin Hood Tax campaign are celebrating victory after a 0.2% financial transaction tax (FTT) came in to effect in France on 2 August 2012.
This was just days after the campaign featured strongly in the March to end AIDS in Washington France became the first country to implement this new type of taxation.
Former French President Sarkozy first announced plans to introduce a 0.1% financial transaction tax in January. This was later doubled by his successor President Hollande. The tax is expected to raise half a billion euros in the first year, with a pledge from President Hollande that a part of the revenue will go towards combating AIDS.
The Robin Hood Tax campaign hopes that this step by the French President will act as a signal to other countries, including the UK, to rethink their position on the FTT.
For further information, and to support the campaign, visit the Robin Hood Tax website: