Debt and aid

Two big issues seriously affect poor countries’ chances of beating poverty.

One is the amount of aid they get.

The other is the amount of debt they repay.

In 2007 the total debt owed by developing countries was a staggering $3.4 trillion – yes, you read that right, 3.4 trillion dollars. Those countries spent $540 billion servicing these debts.

So let’s do the maths – if a country is spending its precious cash on repaying debts – it doesn’t take a genius to work out that there isn’t much left to spend on vital services such as hospitals and schools.

Cancelling debt can make a massive difference – since Zambia’s debt was cancelled in 2005 its Government has been able to scrap the health fees that stopped millions accessing healthcare.

In 1970 rich countries promised to give just 0.7% of their national income as foreign aid. Aid really does work but 40 years later only 5 have kept that promise.

The Robin Hood Tax could raise billions every year to ensure rich countries meet their aid commitments and relieve poor countries' debt.