Oxfam sets five tests for the Prime Minister’s first 100 days

Oxfam has today challenged the incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham to prove his government is serious about building a fairer Britain and world by passing five key tests within his first 100 days in office.

The charity says the decisions taken in the first few months will set the direction of the country for years to come and is urging Burnham to tackle inequality at home and abroad, restore Britain's global leadership, put power into the hands of local communities, act on the climate crisis and reject the politics of division.

The five tests are:

• Put Britain back on the global stage. Nowhere is Britain’s leadership being tested more than in Gaza, where Palestinians continue to bear the devastating consequences of Israel’s genocide. The UK cannot defend a rules-based international order with one hand, while selling arms to Israel with the other.

At the same time, the UK's aid budget has been cut to the bone, leaving Britain less able to respond to humanitarian crises, prevent conflict and tackle emergencies before they escalate. Aid is an investment in a safer world, alongside diplomacy and responsible investment.

Oxfam is calling on the new PM to restore the UK's aid budget to 0.7% of Gross National Income, appoint a Cabinet-level Development Minister and set an ambitious vision for Britain's G20 Presidency. The Government must also demonstrate its commitment to international humanitarian law by ending arms sales to Israel and implementing a ban on trade and investment in illegal Israeli settlements.

• Fix the economy so it works for everyone, not just those at the top by introducing a wealth tax on the super-rich. A two per cent tax on assets over £10 million, backed by 76 per cent of the public, could raise an estimated £24 billion each year to strengthen public services, reduce poverty and tackle inequality.
• Tackle the climate crisis for people and planet by making polluters pay, supporting a fair transition to a low-carbon economy and introducing a levy on frequent flyers and private jets.
• End the politics of division and create a more hopeful nation by ending the scapegoating of migrants, promoting responsible political leadership and supporting community-led programmes that bring people together and build trust between communities.
• Let local people lead by ensuring more UK aid reaches local organisations directly, reducing bureaucracy that prevents grassroots groups accessing funding and creating a locally led Women's Rights Fund. If devolution works in Manchester, it should work in Mozambique too.

Oxfam said the package would demonstrate that Britain is prepared to lead by tackling inequality at home while working with partners around the world to address poverty, conflict and the climate crisis.

Oxfam has launched a petition to Andy Burham to demand strong leadership for a fairer and more just world.