New poll shows Scots want to decide their own international aid budget
Today SCIAF announces the results of a major new poll into Scottish attitudes to International Aid & Development Issues the poll reveals: More than three quarters of Scots believe decisions about the Scottish share of Britain's international development funds should be made in Scotland. Almost 90% of Scots think the Scottish Executive should buy Fair Trade products and services. SCIAF, the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, commissioned a poll of Scottish attitudes for the launch of its 'Wee Box - Big Change' fundraising campaign. The results show that Scots across all ages, genders, socio-economic groupings and regions overwhelmingly support a progressive approach to International Aid and Development. Paul Chitnis, Chief Executive of SCIAF said: "SCIAF is a Scottish aid agency that works hard to deliver aid and development support in 26 countries across the world. We rely on public support to make our work possible, so it,s inspiring to see the strength of Scots, feeling on these issues. The poll explores some of the big issues we engage with on a practical basis every day. 76% agree or strongly agree that Decisions about the Scottish share of Britain's international development funds should be made in Scotland. 89% agree or strongly agree that 'The Scottish Executive should buy Fair Trade products and services wherever possible,' 90% agree or strongly agree that People in poor countries should be able to work their way out of poverty and international trade rules should help them do so' 96% agree or strongly agree that Companies should take responsibility for the impact they have on people and the environment, 88% agree or strongly agree that 'Pharmaceutical companies have a responsibility to supply life saving drugs on a not-for-profit basis to poor countries' 78% agree or strongly agree that 'Fighting poverty will do more to make the world safe for all of us than fighting wars' Additionally, we asked if the G8 at Gleneagles had made any difference to world poverty. 73% thought it made no difference. Source: SCIAF