A NORTH-EAST MP is supporting a charity in its plea to the Government to increase overseas aid.
Gerry Steinberg, MP for Durham City, wants the Government to bring its amount of aid up to the United Nations' target by 2012.
This corresponds with Oxfam's campaign calling for more money to ensure the end of school fees by 2005 and allow every child to attend school by 2015.
Mr Steinberg said: "It is all about poverty reduction around the world, helping people to help themselves. The aim of halving world poverty by 2015, supported by Britain and many others, will not be achieved without significantly increased overseas assistance.
"Reducing poverty is essential if we are to see a more stable world. It is a crime that children in developing countries have to pay to go to school."
Mr Steinberg urged Britain to follow the example of other European countries, which already meet the United Nations' aid target.
He was among the one third of MPs to sign an Early Day Motion asking the Government to increase its foreign spending
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