[Closed] Comic relief invests in arms and tobacco..

[quote=natrix said]

Which guns are those?

If it is the case that they have some of their money invested in such a company, I'm also wondering whether how many deaths and injuries it would save if they put their money elsewhere and let somebody else invest in those companies instead.

they put their money elsewhere and let somebody else invest in those companies instead.

That's a classic excuse put forward by governments arming corrupt regimes,- we might as well sell them our guns, if we didn't they'll just buy them from somebody else.

Somebody needs to make an ethical stand at some point. If CR don't want to, that's fine, but don't expect me to give them any more of my money.

Ethical investment isn't new or hard to do, so no investment in arms or tobacco company's that cause untold death and misery around the world is what I'd do.
How hard can it be?

So you didn't bother reading the quote from the Comic Relief website then ?

Trustees have been unable to invest in funds promoted as ethical at the same time as meeting their regulatory duty, to get the best returns at the lowest appropriate risk.

which company Comic Relief is (indirectly) investing in is making the guns used to shoot children.

BAe, try googling Hawk jets and East Timor

That's a classic excuse put forward by governments arming corrupt regimes,- we might as well sell them our guns, if we didn't they'll just buy them from somebody else.

Somebody needs to make an ethical stand at some point. If CR don't want to, that's fine, but don't expect me to give them any more of my money.

How far do you take that argument though? CR has a close working relationship with Sainsbury's - who sell tobacco and alcohol in large quantities. Comic Relief also use Asda to sell their Tshirts - who are owned by Walmart who sell very large quantities of firearms and ammo in the US thereby supporting the arms industry etc etc. Its all well and good saying that someone has to make a stand - but there has to be a degree of realism in that notion, otherwise virtually every company in the world is off limits.

teamhurtmore - Member
Chief Exec £130k last year
5 other got between £90-100k
Total staff costs £13.5m
Total staff 286 (average)
Crude average £47k wage

All there in the open.

I want to work full time for charities. It's far better than what I earn now. I promise to invest the donated money wisely by doubling the interest earned. I don't need excessive bonus but would prefer to be rewarded for my investment prowess.

Alternatively, can I buy some shares in the charitable organisations? When is the IPO? I mean at least I have invested in full proof shares ...

😆

[quote=natrix said]That's a classic excuse put forward by governments arming corrupt regimes,- we might as well sell them our guns, if we didn't they'll just buy them from somebody else.

Yes, that is directly equivalent to saying that if CR doesn't invest in BAE Systems somebody else will 🙄

Let me put it like this for you: if a government refuses to sell arms to a regime, then that might just set a precedent and other governments might follow, therefore making it more difficult for the regime to arm itself. If CR refuses to buy shares in BAE Systems what impact will that have on the market for their shares? Do you reckon other investors are likely to follow their ethical stand?

Do you reckon other investors are likely to follow their ethical stand?

Quite possibly. A lot of folk choose the COOP bank for their ethical stance rather than financial performance. (Barclays, South Africa, apartheid, that Mandela bloke etc etc)

Do all those criticising Comic Relief, and suggesting you won't donate any more, have personal pensions?

Have you scrutinised the investment criteria which the pension uses?

If you feel that strongly about ethical investment I'm sure you'll be happy to forego some potential retirement income to make sure than none of the investment is indirectly in companies you don't like.

Was just going to mention that Poly

I'd be suprised is my savings hadn't been used by the bank for some dodgy investments.

I'm sure the arms firms would love to do more to end hunger and poverty in the world, it's just the damn Geneva convention that gets in the way.

[quote=natrix said]

Do you reckon other investors are likely to follow their ethical stand?

😆 at the idea of it making a difference to BAE Systems business when CR sell their shares

suggesting you won't donate any more

have personal pensions?

If you feel that strongly about ethical investment I'm sure you'll be happy to forego some potential retirement income to make sure than none of the investment is indirectly in companies you don't like

I do

CR's investment policy - fine, all in the open then. Still I don't have to like it and it doesn't make it right.

They are obliged to invest the money as prudently as possible, even if it means profiting from the sale of arms. I'm cool with that. The trouble is, this is after they have successfully canvassed millions upon millions in donations due to their heavily publicised charitable mission to make the world a better place.
It's that hypocrisy that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

Surely it's not impossible to help the world without being dragged down into its mess?

Have you scrutinised the investment criteria which the pension uses?

If you feel that strongly about ethical investment I'm sure you'll be happy to forego some potential retirement income to make sure than none of the investment is indirectly in companies you don't like.

Yes and yes. It's what ethic's are all about. Not that everybody has to have them of course....................

They are obliged to invest the money as prudently as possible

They don't have to be indiscriminate in where there money goes, no problem having an ethical investment policy. Investment choice is subjective to a degree anyway.