06 May 2007

The G8 Summit 2007

In 2005, the massive response that MPs received in the build up to the G8 conference in Gleneagles showed how much people cared about the lives of millions of the poorest people in the world.

I am proud that the Labour Government put issues like aid, trade and debt in the developing world at the top of the agenda in 2005. A real difference was made - world leaders pledged to increase aid, especially to Africa, and to cancel the debt owed by many countries.

The UK has kept its promises from 2005. We are on track to increase the amount we spend on aid to the 0.7 per cent of national income target by 2013. We have cancelled every single penny of debt owed to us by the world's poorest contries. And the UK Government is pushing hard to make sure other countries keep their promises too.

There's still a lot to do. But we can see that our work is helping people in practical ways. In fact, UK aid now helps about 5,000 people get out of poverty every single day. Together with others, we are helping more children get an education, more people get treatment for HIV and more people get access to vaccination that saves millions of lives. We have also helped train peacekeeprs to work in places like Darfur.

This week, the G8 Leaders are meeting in Germany to decide what to do next.
I would like to hear your ideas about what politicians should prioritise next, to deliver real and lasting change. Contact me in any of the ways shown on my website, and I will do my best to keep you up to date.

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