MPs back overhaul of Vince Cable department

Pressure is mounting on the Government to overhaul the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) after MPs voted today for a crackdown on its "secretive and unaccountable" operations.

Lisa Nandy MP's Ten Minute Rule Bill (1) received cross-party backing (2), including from Zac Goldsmith MP and Bob Russell MP, and was easily waved through to its second reading*.

The ECGD, headed by Vince Cable and Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint, has been exposed by campaigners (3) for using taxpayers' money to insure private exports which fuel climate change, poverty and human rights abuses in the developing world. The overwhelming support shown for the bill comes in addition to the 130 MPs who have so far signed an EDM urging reform of the ECGD.

Lisa Nandy, MP for Wigan and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on International Corporate Responsibility, said:
"I am delighted that the Bill to reform the ECGD was passed for second reading completely unopposed.  Clearly there is cross-party support for reform and widespread concern over the activities the ECGD supports.  I look forward to continue debating with colleagues and the government later in the year."

Nick Dearden, Director of Jubilee Debt Campaign, said:
"We are delighted that MPs have taken a stand towards cleaning up Britain's exports. Lisa Nandy's bill recognises that exports backed by the taxpayer must not, as a minimum, exacerbate poverty, violate human rights or destroy the environment. We hope the Government will take notice of this bill and overhaul the ECGD which is currently not fit for purpose."

For further information or to request interviews please contact Kat Banyard at Jubilee Debt Campaign: , 07775 855037, 020 7324 4722

Notes to editors

(1) The Export Credits Guarantee Department (Regulations and Reporting) Bill received its first reading on 27/4/11. The second reading will be on 11 November 2011.
(2) The Ten Minute Rule Bill was co-sponsored by: Roger Williams MP, Zac Goldsmith MP, Tony Cunningham MP, Bob Russell MP, Caroline Lucas MP, Eilidh Whiteford MP, Sheila Gilmore MP, Teresa Pearce MP and Julian Huppert MP
(3) Organisations campaigning for reform of the ECGD include: Jubilee Debt Campaign, Amnesty International UK, WWF, The Co-operative, Campaign Against the Arms Trade, The Corner House, Trade Justice Movement, World Development Movement, Compass, Jubilee Scotland, Rights and Accountability In Development and the Global Poverty Project.

* Due to limited parliamentary time the bill is unlikely to receive its second reading, as is the case with most Ten Minute Rule Bills.