UK urges more aid for Africa

A Government report has called on for a dramatic increase in aid for Africa.

The Commission for Africa report has called for an increase in aid of £50 billion per year over the next ten years, with most of the money to be aimed at helping the services and people with HIV and AIDS, as well as education, colleges and universities and infrastructure.

The report also includes plans to tackle corruption, by repatriating illicitly acquired state funds and assets and also to open negotiations on an international arms trade treaty by next year.

Speaking at the launch of the report at the British Museum in London, Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "There can be no excuse, no defence, no justification for the plight of millions of our fellow beings in Africa today. That is the simple message from the report published today.

"We cannot allow this to continue. It is, I believe, the biggest moral challenge of our generation. A challenge for all of us - for the governments of Africa and the countries of the developed world."

Liberal Democrat Shadow International Development Secretary Tom Brake said: “The last thing Africa needs is another worthy report without action. We already know what’s keeping Africa poor and preventing the continent from realising its potential.

"The biggest problems include unfair trade rules, armed conflict, corruption and infectious disease. The real test of the Government’s commitment to Africa and to eradicating poverty will be what it does about these issues. This is an opportunity for the Government to commit to real reform."

Announced today were plans to invest in Africa's capacity to trade and to help reduce internal trade barriers, reforming customs, as well as eliminate all cotton and sugar subsidies immediately and end all export subsidies to agriculture by 2010.

The Commission said that the new reforms would help make Africa a more equal partner in the global community.

However, Africa is expected to generate a further £25 billion internally within the next ten years and contribute to the plans by encouraging progress on governance, democracy, tackling corruption and creating the right conditions for investment.

(KMcA/SP)