16/02/2004
Brown calls for increased funding to fight global poverty
Chancellor Gordon Brown has called for more political resolve from rich countries to tackle poverty in the world's poorest states.
The Chancellor, addressing delegates including Bob Geldof, at a London conference on globalisation, said that aid targets laid out in the development goals for 2015 at the Millennium conference in New York may not be met until the 22nd Century.
Mr Brown said: "This is not good enough - the obligation we promised to honour for sub-Saharan Africa was not for 2165 but for 2015."
Turning to the Millennium global poverty target, Mr Brown said that although the number of people living in extreme poverty has fallen by 10% in the last 10 years, there are one billion people still living on less than $1 a day.
The Chancellor warned that without "greatly increased growth", sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, North Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and the transition economies of Europe and Central Asia would all fail to see poverty targets met by 2015.
"Our best estimate is that it will not be achieved in sub Saharan Africa for more than a hundred years," he said. "This is not good enough - the dream we dreamed was not for 2147 but for 2015."
Mr Brown is seeking support for plans to dramatically increase international aid for health, education and poverty programmes.
Pointed out that next year was the 20th anniversary of Live Aid and he said that this was a "challenge to act now".
"Live Aid was about a self evident truth that we cannot be this rich and see people that poor," he said.
"That we cannot sit and watch people starving to death on TV right in front of our eyes. …Yet 20 years on the great divide between rich and poor countries has grown, is growing and will continue to grow."
Mr Brown said: "If we are to put ourselves on track again to meet the Millennium Development Goals, we have to rouse the conscience of the world anew, each of us playing our part."
Prime Minister Tony Blair has already stated that for the sake of the poorest countries the UK G8 presidency in 2005 will be a 'Development Presidency'.
The UK has called for an extra $50 billion a year to be set aside for development aid in a bid to meet the Millennium Goals for health, education and poverty targets.
(SP)
The Chancellor, addressing delegates including Bob Geldof, at a London conference on globalisation, said that aid targets laid out in the development goals for 2015 at the Millennium conference in New York may not be met until the 22nd Century.
Mr Brown said: "This is not good enough - the obligation we promised to honour for sub-Saharan Africa was not for 2165 but for 2015."
Turning to the Millennium global poverty target, Mr Brown said that although the number of people living in extreme poverty has fallen by 10% in the last 10 years, there are one billion people still living on less than $1 a day.
The Chancellor warned that without "greatly increased growth", sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, North Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and the transition economies of Europe and Central Asia would all fail to see poverty targets met by 2015.
"Our best estimate is that it will not be achieved in sub Saharan Africa for more than a hundred years," he said. "This is not good enough - the dream we dreamed was not for 2147 but for 2015."
Mr Brown is seeking support for plans to dramatically increase international aid for health, education and poverty programmes.
Pointed out that next year was the 20th anniversary of Live Aid and he said that this was a "challenge to act now".
"Live Aid was about a self evident truth that we cannot be this rich and see people that poor," he said.
"That we cannot sit and watch people starving to death on TV right in front of our eyes. …Yet 20 years on the great divide between rich and poor countries has grown, is growing and will continue to grow."
Mr Brown said: "If we are to put ourselves on track again to meet the Millennium Development Goals, we have to rouse the conscience of the world anew, each of us playing our part."
Prime Minister Tony Blair has already stated that for the sake of the poorest countries the UK G8 presidency in 2005 will be a 'Development Presidency'.
The UK has called for an extra $50 billion a year to be set aside for development aid in a bid to meet the Millennium Goals for health, education and poverty targets.
(SP)
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03 February 2005
Mandela addresses anti-poverty rally in London
Former South African president, Nelson Mandela, has told the crowds at an anti-poverty rally in London that the fight against poverty was as important as the fight against slavery.
Mandela addresses anti-poverty rally in London
Former South African president, Nelson Mandela, has told the crowds at an anti-poverty rally in London that the fight against poverty was as important as the fight against slavery.
30 March 2005
Government figures reveal drop in poverty figures
Fewer pensioners and children are living in poverty, new government figures have revealed. A report by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) showed that absolute pensioner poverty has dropped from 2.8 million in 1997 to 900,000 today, a drop of two-thirds.
Government figures reveal drop in poverty figures
Fewer pensioners and children are living in poverty, new government figures have revealed. A report by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) showed that absolute pensioner poverty has dropped from 2.8 million in 1997 to 900,000 today, a drop of two-thirds.
14 June 2012
2% Fall In Child Poverty Figures
New official figures have revealed that the number of children living in poverty in the UK fell by 300,000 last year. Figures for 2010/11, show that 2.3 million children (18%) lived in households classed as below the poverty line, a 2% decrease on the previous year. The numbers are based on median incomes, which also went down in the same period.
2% Fall In Child Poverty Figures
New official figures have revealed that the number of children living in poverty in the UK fell by 300,000 last year. Figures for 2010/11, show that 2.3 million children (18%) lived in households classed as below the poverty line, a 2% decrease on the previous year. The numbers are based on median incomes, which also went down in the same period.
27 October 2005
Britain basks in record temperatures
The UK is basking in sunshine as the country enjoys the warmest October 27 on record. Temperatures have risen as high as 21c in some parts of the country, beating the previous record of 20.3c, which was recorded in London in 1888. However, temperatures are expected to rise as high as 23c in some parts of the country.
Britain basks in record temperatures
The UK is basking in sunshine as the country enjoys the warmest October 27 on record. Temperatures have risen as high as 21c in some parts of the country, beating the previous record of 20.3c, which was recorded in London in 1888. However, temperatures are expected to rise as high as 23c in some parts of the country.
08 February 2013
2.3m UK Children In Poverty
2.3m children, one in five, across the UK are living materially deprived lives but are not being included in the government’s measure of poverty. Thinktank Policy Exchange says the Child Poverty Target is underestimating the number of children living in poverty in the United Kingdom.
2.3m UK Children In Poverty
2.3m children, one in five, across the UK are living materially deprived lives but are not being included in the government’s measure of poverty. Thinktank Policy Exchange says the Child Poverty Target is underestimating the number of children living in poverty in the United Kingdom.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.