Charity urges voters to make global poverty a priority

Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund provides international aid

A charity has urged voters in Scotland to make global poverty a priority issue when they consider how to vote in the general election.

Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) issued its appeal on World Poverty Day.

The main political parties are due to outline how they would tackle global poverty and injustice on Sunday.

SCIAF wants the UK government to fulfil 1970s promises to spend 0.7% of national income on "effective aid".

Paul Chitnis, chief executive of the international aid charity, said voters had a duty to make sure parties "prioritise global poverty" and climate change in the election campaign.

"In the 21st century it is not acceptable for one in six of the world's population go hungry whilst the rich prosper.

"If billions of pounds can be thrown at the banks because they are 'too big to fail' how can we fail to prevent over a billion people from going hungry?"

'Empower people'

Mr Chitnis added: "Even though Scotland has its own parliament, decisions on international development, like defence and a number of other policy areas, are made in Westminster.

"Scottish voters should therefore carefully consider each party's plans for reducing global poverty and injustice when they cast their votes on 6 May.

"SCIAF and thousands of its supporters are calling for the next prime minister to deliver on promises made by the UK in the 1970s to spend at least 0.7% of national income on effective aid, and make sure domestic and international trade rules empower people to work their way out of poverty and not drive them further into despair."

Scottish international development organisations, including SCIAF and Glasgow University, will hold a Vote Global hustings event at the University of Glasgow on 27 April.

Speakers at the event include Patrick Harvie MSP, co-convenor of the Scottish Green Party, and international development spokesmen Andrew Mitchell for the Conservatives, John Barrett for the Liberal Democrats, and Pete Wishart for the SNP.

A Labour party speaker has not yet been confirmed.