Untie development aid

The government looks set to use its chairmanship of the G8 as a unique opportunity to strike a new deal for the world's poor. But the impact of these measures could be negligible if they come with conditions attached (Letters, February 3). In June last year, the chancellor acknowledged that aid and debt relief is essentially tied when he said: "In return for African countries opening up to trade ... we will provide extra money for health, education and anti-poverty programmes."

Yet evidence suggests that rapid and enforced trade liberalisation can increase rather than alleviate poverty. Privatisation can leave poor people with reduced access to essential services, including healthcare, water and electricity. Nor does cutting debt and improving aid help poor countries compete with subsidised companies in rich countries.

The advocacy of the level playing field sounds attractive, but when one team of players is not fit enough to play, special tailor-made arrangements are sometimes necessary to ensure a just game. The G7 finance ministers should endorse the chancellor's proposals for more and better aid and deeper and faster debt cancellation. But they should do so without condition, in the name of social justice.
Rt Rev Tom Butler
Bishop of Southwark