The Greater Manchester Pension Fund is managed by the local authorities named above. Council Tax from these local authorities and pension contributions from their employees is invested by the Fund in UK, US, a Japanese and a Singaporean arms companies. These companies export arms, such as those above, to regimes with poor human rights records, to both sides in areas of conflict or tension or to countries with high development needs. These Councils, their Council Tax Payers and their employees therefore endorse arms exports and profits. Manchester CAAT is calling upon the Fund to end its arms investments now and in the future.
Council Tax paid for the public good must not be used for investment in a deadly trade. The arms trade fuels war, aids human rights abuses, undermines development and breeds corruption. Council employees, who work for the good of their communities, do not want to profit from weapons produced and used to kill others around the world. Councillors from the above councils, responsible for the welfare of their communities, manage the Fund, should equally care for the needs of communities elsewhere in the world. They should end these arms investments now and in the future.
More information for: Council tax payers, Council employees & GMPF members, and Councillors.
If you want to consider the issues further, have a look at CAAT's Clean Investment Campaign.