54 lower-income countries are in debt crisis – forced to choose between repayments and essential public services. In Africa alone, 34 countries spend more on debt repayments than health or education. Now debt vultures are swooping in to take advantage of the crisis. These speculators buy up debts at rock bottom prices and then threaten to sue unless they’re paid in full. Money meant for schools, hospitals and clean water is instead handed over to vulture funds – making them millions in profit.

Because 90% of these debt contracts are overseen by UK law, vulture funds are using the threat of UK courts to force struggling countries to hand over payments – instead of using the money for essential services. This is happening through our legal system – which means we have the power to stop it! Alongside campaigners from countries in crisis, we’re pushing for a debt justice law here in the UK that would force private lenders to cancel unfair debts – and stop the vultures in their tracks.