Bristol South Labour Party

Working hard all year round for South Bristol

Action on global poverty and climate change

Dawn joins Bristol MPs and charities for discussions 

Dawn Primarolo met with Bristol’s Labour MPs and representatives of Oxfam, Friends of the Earth and Christian Aid for breakfast this morning.  A discussion was held on how the government can work with organisations to tackle climate change and eliminate world poverty.

Dawn, along with Roger Berry, Kerry McCarthy and Doug Naysmith signed up to Oxfam’s Six Million More pledge.  The pledge reflects the need for a further six million teachers and health workers in the developing world.

Speaking after the breakfast, Dawn said:

“We had an extremely useful discussion on issues affecting the developing world.  The government should be proud of its record on international aid and combating climate change – we’re striving to be world leaders at both.  But there is still so much more to do.  Organisations like Oxfam, Christian Aid and Friends of the Earth are really making a difference to people’s lives, but it’s vital that government does its bit too.

It’s shocking to think that we need six million more doctors, nurses and teachers, and humbling to reflect on the magnificent work people are already doing with limited resources.  That’s why I’m pleased to support this campaign, and I hope people in Bristol South will take a minute to visit Oxfam’s website and sign the pledge.”

My role as a Minister at the Department of Health includes international health, so I’ll be doing all I can to ensure that Britain continues to assist the developing world in providing the doctors and nurses who are needed so much."  

To sign Oxfam’s Six Million More pledge, please visit: http://www.oxfam.org.uk/get_involved/campaign/actions/health_edu.html

[26 October 2007]