The Government has been forced to staved off criticism that the US$50 billion aid package agreed at the G8 summit is too inadequate.
Prime Minister Tony Blair defended the deal concluded last Friday, saying that "very substantial progress" has been made in raising developing countries out of poverty.
This stance was reiterated by International Development Secretary Hilary Benn, who also came out in support of the deal: "This is politics demonstrating its capacity to make a difference."
Mr Blair also stressed that the package would not end world poverty overnight: "We do not, simply by this communique, make poverty history."
He remained optimistic, however, emphasising the real "political will" to end world poverty and lower green house gas emissions that had been demonstrated at the G8 summit.
Mr Blair also highlighted that an agreement on environmental issues was from the outset unlikely, but seemed pleased with the US’ acceptance of global warming as an issue in need of a concerted international response.
Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett also dismissed criticisms that the G8 offered nothing new on climate change as "absolute rubbish".
The defence of the G8 deal comes in light of the criticisms made by numerous aid agencies and environmentalists that the outcome is "vastly disappointing".
Kumi Naidoo, chair of the Global Call to Action against Poverty, said, "The people have roared but the G8 has whispered."
One of the most outspoken campaigners for change, Bob Geldof, was also satisfied with the result, however, saying that it was a "great day" and claiming that at least 10 million lives would be saved as a result.
Mr Geldof said, "Never before have so many people forced a change of policy onto a global agenda. If anyone had said eight weeks ago will we get a doubling of aid, will we get a deal on debt, people would have said ‘no’."
He concluded by awarding the G8 summit "10 out of 10 on aid, eight out of 10 on debt."
Bono, Irish rock star and fellow anti-poverty campaigner, also added his voice to the round of support for Friday’s aid deal, particularly the agreement to make AIDS drugs universally accessible.
"600,000 Africans, mostly children, will remember this G8 summit at Gleneagles because they will be around to remember this summit, and they wouldn't have otherwise," said Bono.
The package, which obliges African leaders to commit to democracy and good governance, will see the debt of the world’s 18 poorest countries cancelled and anti-HIV drugs made universally accessible in Africa by 2010.
