TOMORROW (July 1) the UK takes over the presidency of the European Union with the aim of trying to halve global poverty, improve access to world markets for developing countries and make progress on tackling climate change.
Make Poverty History enjoys widespread support in our area and next week the European Parliament acknowledges this as well as the start of the British presidency with a debate on reducing global poverty.
I welcome the EUs decision to double foreign aid to developing countries in the next five years. But the EU must do more to make trade fair and open its markets to developing countries so that they can trade their way out of poverty.
Global warming is the biggest challenge facing us today. To think globally we need to act locally. As consumers we can make a huge contribution to reduce climate change by cutting down on energy use at home.
Global poverty and climate change are huge issues and I am proud that it is a Labour government leading the world in taking on these challenges.
GARY TITLEY MEP
Labour, North-West
Leader, European
Parliamentary Labour Party
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article