Tax the Rich
Task 1
Match these words or phrases to their meanings
addressing |
to talk about something unpleasant |
advocate (v) |
a payment to the government to help ecology |
climate change |
very rich people |
green taxes |
to support |
knee-jerk |
to put a price on something |
levy |
an amount to be paid |
pre-budget |
discard / ignore |
raises the spectre |
an strong and automatic reaction |
rule out |
dealing with |
slapping levies on (s/th) |
before taxes are raised |
the super-wealthy |
global warming |
Task 2
Ask and answer these questions
- Do you think that we should pay more to the government to help the environment?
- Do you think that we should use charities to help the environment?
- Is it right that rich people pay higher taxes?
- Should businesses be taxed for environmental damage?
- How do you think these problems would affect you?
- How do you think that these problems would affect your country?
- How do you think these taxes would affect you?
- Is there any way that businesses can reduce the environmental damage that they do?
- Is there any way that people could reduce the environmental damage that we do?
The Sunday Times |
November 05, 2006 |
Rich may face higher green tax, says Hain
David Cracknell |
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PETER HAIN today raises the spectre of making the rich bear more of the burden for reducing carbon emissions by relating green taxes to income.
The Northern Ireland secretary, campaigning to become deputy prime minister under Gordon Brown, also suggested “innovative ways” were needed to stop the super-wealthy “racing away” from those on average incomes.
Hain advocates introducing “progressive” green taxes to hit those on big incomes hardest, rather than slapping levies on flights, petrol and rubbish.
“I wouldn’t rule out progressive taxes on the green agenda,” he said in an interview with GMTV’s The Sunday Programme. “That’s a matter for the chancellor. What I am saying is just be very careful that we’re not ignoring the need for social justice.
“I’m just saying a knee-jerk banging £20 on an EasyJet or Ryanair flight, which is where David Cameron seems to be, is not really the answer.”
Hain also hit at the super-rich and big City bonuses. “There is a problem about those right at the top just racing away over the horizon and those on average and below-average incomes staying behind. We need to find a way of addressing that.”
The chancellor is set to reject calls for green taxes in this month’s pre-budget report. He is likely to push the need for global co-operation and energy efficiency in his response to the Stern report on the economics of climate change.
Thousands of people gathered in Trafalgar Square, London, yesterday to seek urgent action on climate change. |
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www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-2437929,00.html
Task 3
Mark these questions true or false
1 Peter Hain wants to tax rich people for environmental damage.
2 Gordon Brown is the Northern Ireland secretary.
3 The ‘super wealthy’ are running away from average incomes.
4 Peter Hain wants to slap levies on flights, petrol and rubbish.
5 Peter Hain wouldn’t rule out progressive taxes on the green agenda.
6 Peter Hain is ignoring the need for social justice.
7 David Cameron banged his knee in the interview
8 Easy Jet and Ryan Air flights will cost £20 more.
9 The chancellor will reject green taxes in the pre-budget report.
10 The chancellor is writing a stern report on climate change.
11 There was a protest about climate change in London.
12 Climate change is a good thing.
