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David Cameron: Aid spending makes PM 'proud to be British' David Cameron: Aid spending makes PM 'proud to be British'
(about 1 hour later)
Prime Minister David Cameron has told delegates at an international meeting he is hosting that aid spending made him "proud to be British".Prime Minister David Cameron has told delegates at an international meeting he is hosting that aid spending made him "proud to be British".
As part of the UK's G8 presidency, the meeting aims to get more funding from nations, companies and charities toward African countries' own nutrition plans.As part of the UK's G8 presidency, the meeting aims to get more funding from nations, companies and charities toward African countries' own nutrition plans.
Meanwhile, UK church leaders will call on the G8 to tackle tax avoidance by firms working in developing countries.Meanwhile, UK church leaders will call on the G8 to tackle tax avoidance by firms working in developing countries.
They will link the issue to hunger among the world's poorest people.They will link the issue to hunger among the world's poorest people.
The G8 summit brings together the leaders of the UK, the US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia.The G8 summit brings together the leaders of the UK, the US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia.
The British prime minister has backed a target of saving 20 million children from chronic malnutrition by 2020.
At the event in London, Mr Cameron acknowledged concerns over UK aid budgets as the country goes through a period of austerity, but said it was equivalent to just 1p from every £1 of tax paid.At the event in London, Mr Cameron acknowledged concerns over UK aid budgets as the country goes through a period of austerity, but said it was equivalent to just 1p from every £1 of tax paid.
He insisted that Britain was "out in front" in reaching the target to give 0.7% of GDP because its people are concerned with trying to help those who are suffering in other countries.He insisted that Britain was "out in front" in reaching the target to give 0.7% of GDP because its people are concerned with trying to help those who are suffering in other countries.
"We accept the moral case for keeping our promises to the world's poorest even when we face challenges at home," he said."We accept the moral case for keeping our promises to the world's poorest even when we face challenges at home," he said.
"When people are dying, we don't believe in finding excuses. We believe in trying to do something about it.""When people are dying, we don't believe in finding excuses. We believe in trying to do something about it."
He highlighted Band Aid, Live8, and Red Nose Day, and the public's generous response to appeals to disasters abroad.He highlighted Band Aid, Live8, and Red Nose Day, and the public's generous response to appeals to disasters abroad.
"It says something about this country. It says something about our standing in the world and our sense of duty in helping others."It says something about this country. It says something about our standing in the world and our sense of duty in helping others.
"In short - it says something about the kind of people we are."In short - it says something about the kind of people we are.
"And that makes me proud to be British.""And that makes me proud to be British."
Mr Cameron said it is important for governments and businesses to do things differently to try to beat hunger in the developing world.Mr Cameron said it is important for governments and businesses to do things differently to try to beat hunger in the developing world.
Earlier, the UK's International Development Secretary Justine Greening said the goal should be not just to feed people in developing countries, but to change the way the food industry works in those countries.Earlier, the UK's International Development Secretary Justine Greening said the goal should be not just to feed people in developing countries, but to change the way the food industry works in those countries.
Countering avoidance 'Be more generous'
The leaders of the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales have joined international charities in a campaign called "If...", warning that displacement of small farmers from their land, unfair terms of trade and tax avoidance all contribute to hunger among the poor.The leaders of the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales have joined international charities in a campaign called "If...", warning that displacement of small farmers from their land, unfair terms of trade and tax avoidance all contribute to hunger among the poor.
The Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, will lead a service at Methodist Central Hall, in central London, to show solidarity with the one in eight of the world's people who he says go to bed hungry each night. Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who set up "If..." with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, told the BBC: "We need to be more generous and we need to pay attention to what's going on in these poor countries.
Charity Action Aid has published data showing that at least three of the companies attending the meeting with the prime minister, all of which have extensive operations in the developing world - Unilever, Glaxo Smith Kline and Vodafone - have subsidiaries in numerous tax havens. "If they were living in our neighbourhoods obviously we would reach out and help them and that's why today's event is so important."
Mr Gates said interventions that ensure children are fed in their first two years would "cut down on childhood death and it will allow their brains to develop and break the cycle of poverty so these countries will have kids who can be educated and over time take care of themselves".
Charity Action Aid published data last month showing that at least three of the companies attending the meeting with the prime minister, all of which have extensive operations in the developing world - Unilever, Glaxo Smith Kline and Vodafone - have subsidiaries in numerous tax havens.
Action Aid campaigns for countries to pay more tax in developing countries.Action Aid campaigns for countries to pay more tax in developing countries.
The charity stressed that the use of tax havens did not in itself prove tax avoidance, but did highlight the extent to which multinational companies operated in places that provide tax advantages.The charity stressed that the use of tax havens did not in itself prove tax avoidance, but did highlight the extent to which multinational companies operated in places that provide tax advantages.
The three named companies all told the BBC they paid the taxes due in the countries in which they operate. Vodafone said the Action Aid research was flawed and misleading.The three named companies all told the BBC they paid the taxes due in the countries in which they operate. Vodafone said the Action Aid research was flawed and misleading.
Mr Cameron has said countering tax avoidance is a priority during this year's British presidency of the G8 group of leading industrialised nations.Mr Cameron has said countering tax avoidance is a priority during this year's British presidency of the G8 group of leading industrialised nations.
Mr Gates would not be drawn on whether malnutrition could be linked to tax avoidance, but said it is important "that developing countries come up with good tax regimes, because over time they will be more responsible".
As well as claiming the lives of three million children each year in the developing world, malnutrition stunts the growth and affects the brain development of others - impacting on the economic prospects of whole nations.As well as claiming the lives of three million children each year in the developing world, malnutrition stunts the growth and affects the brain development of others - impacting on the economic prospects of whole nations.
Also on Saturday, the "If..." campaign hopes to attract thousands of people to a rally in London's Hyde Park in the afternoon.Also on Saturday, the "If..." campaign hopes to attract thousands of people to a rally in London's Hyde Park in the afternoon.
Speakers will include Microsoft founder Bill Gates and former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. Speakers will include Mr Gates and former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.
G8 leaders gather on 17-18 June in Lough Erne, where world hunger is expected to be a prominent issue.G8 leaders gather on 17-18 June in Lough Erne, where world hunger is expected to be a prominent issue.