The incredible generosity of Islanders to causes helping to support and protect people affected by the illegal invasion of Ukraine has been highlighted to a senior government minister.
Writing to Michael Gove MP yesterday (Thursday), Councillor Chris Jarman, chair of the Isle of Wight Council Pension Fund, described the extraordinary outpouring of public support for the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. He wrote:
“Our residents have established a network of donation channels for goods and together with colleagues here have been generous in their donations to the DEC Ukraine Appeal.
Article continues below this advertisement “The Ukrainian flag has been hoisted alongside our Union and Isle of Wight flags at County Hall to reflect the strength of our unity and support.”
Councillor Jarman was responding to a Mr Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, who has written to local government pension fund committee chairs urging them to take action to exert pressure on Russia by all possible means to “cease its attack on the integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine”.
Yesterday, the council said it had acted quickly to instigate an immediate review of its pension fund and confirmed it had no direct holdings in any Russian stock, or any materially significant investments in Russia-linked equities. Going further, and to ensure that none of its holdings or other activities benefits the Russian economy, the council also confirmed it had no direct contractual links with Gazprom Energy or any other Russian fuel supplier.
In his response to Mr Gove, Councillor Jarman, who is also Cabinet member for strategic finances, wrote:
“We are together of one mind regarding the need to exercise all possible financial pressure on both the Russian economy and markets so as to denude their ability and appetite for continuance of their unjust war against an independent, peaceful and democratic state.”
Article continues below this advertisement “We will continue to remain vigilant regarding our pension fund and investment activities and applaud the stance taken by yourself, our government and the international community in supporting the Ukraine and its worthy people, in the full confidence that this war is promulgated by a misguided few against the will of the many.
“Our collective international pressure for peace must prevail against the aggressor and the Ukrainian people can be assured of our enduring support.”
