Charity begins at home but it doesn't stay there. A strong family is generous to each other and to their neighbours and so it's here in our own country that we must learn to look out for each other and share whatever we can with those in need, here in the UK and overseas.
That's why the government should have honoured their promise to legislate for 0.7% of our country's income to help people in poor communities find their own ways out of poverty and build their families and communities to be strong, resilient and productive. I'm bitterly disappointed that we didn't hear that promise fulfilled today.
In the same way that the best way to deliver aid is by helping people in poor communities hold their governments to account, our Prime Minister must also deliver his promise to be the most open and transparent government in the world. As the government makes changes to Freedom of Information legislation, it must send a strong message to other governments around the world that transparency is the hallmark of strong leadership and governance.
This is a big year for UK, as we prepare to host the G8, and it's right that we show strong leadership to outlaw sexual violence, tackle the spread of climate change and end the injustice that means that one in eight people go to bed hungry even though there is enough food in the world for everyone.
