03/02/2005

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.

Speaking at the event in Trafalgar Square, organised by the Make Poverty History campaign, Mr Mandela said that there now existed a"unique opportunity" to eradicate debt and ensure fair trade for the world's poorest countries.

Mr Mandela was speaking ahead of his meeting with the finance ministers of the G7 countries tomorrow, to discuss plans for aid for developing countries and how to bring an end to world poverty. Chancellor Gordon Brown delivered a speech last month, in which he laid out plans to formulate a "modern Marshall plan" – a reference to the American plan to rebuild Europe after the Second World War – for the developing world. He stated that he planned to discuss debt relief, new funds for development and fair trade at the meeting.

White bands, the symbol of the Make Poverty History campaign, are available via the web-site: www.makepovertyhistory.org

(KMcA/SP)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

11 October 2011
Gov Tax Plans Will Increase Poverty – IFS
A report by a major economic research institute has found the Governments policies on tax and benefits will lead to a major increase in poverty over the next few years. The forecast from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) into the UK's poverty levels up to 2021 predicts poverty will rise by about 600,000 children and 800,000 working-age adults.
19 November 2008
Ministers Attend London Child Poverty Summit
There's to be a combined effort to tackle the issue of child poverty today as Children's Minister, Beverley Hughes; Financial Secretary, Stephen Timms; Minister for London, Tony McNulty; Mayor of London, Boris Johnson and London Councils' Chairman Councillor Merrick Cockell meet to discuss London's child poverty problems and to announce a joint tar
07 July 2009
Anti-Poverty Plan Will Help World's Poorest
A new poverty action plan to help the world's poorest people cope with the economic crisis was announced today by International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander.
24 April 2008
Report Shows Government Is Failing Pensioners In Fuel Poverty
The Government is failing pensioners and poor families in fuel poverty, according to a coalition of Age Concern, Child Poverty Action Group, and National Energy Action.
11 February 2004
Child poverty group calls for plans to revise figures to be dropped
A children's campaign group has claimed that the government is planning to introduce an accounting method which could see up to one million children in poverty wiped off official statistics. The group, End Child Poverty, issued its call as Secretary of State Andrew Smith appears before a Commons Work and Pensions select committee today.