Pupils at Arnold school ask MP Vernon Coaker to raise awareness on world hunger with PM
PUPILS from an Arnold school met MP Vernon Coaker on Friday to discuss the root causes of hunger.
Thirty-five pupils from Nottingham Christ the King Catholic Voluntary Academy lobbied Gedling’s MP as part of the Enough Food for Everyone Campaign.
MPs including Vernon Coaker are being asked to write to the Prime Minister, David Cameron, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, to ensure they keep their promises on aid to poor countries and crack down on tax dodging by big companies, which costs poor countries three times the amount they receive in UK aid.
Councillor Muriel Weisz, from Gedling Borough Council, who backed the pupils and attended their lobby said: “It is a disgrace that 2 million children die from malnutrition every year and food prices have spiralled to the highest levels in decades. Hardworking people in the UK and abroad are struggling to feed their families.”
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Reverend Denise Dodd, the Principle and Deputy Head of the Christ the King School, added: “George Osborne’s Budget contains decisions about how our country’s money is spent. It can help lay the foundations for a world free from hunger. I’m happy I’ve had my say on how the Budget should be used to transform lives and build a better future. I would encourage everyone to meet or email their own MP and have their say.”
The pupils listened to talks from Vernon Coaker and Regional Manager for Christian Aid in the East Midlands, Lucy Connell before the decorating paper plates to be handed into David Cameron before the G8 in June.
Max Lawson, IF Campaign spokesperson added: “Keeping our word and doing the right thing is part of Britain’s great culture and global reputation. This year, the government has an historic opportunity to keep the 43 year old promise to deliver what’s needed on development aid.
"We can be proud that, in the face of crises, the British public show great strength and generosity. Our government should match this spirit and continue the progress already made, saving lives, reducing poverty. We could be the generation to stop hunger.
"Aid on its own won’t do the whole job. This budget Osborne must force big companies to stop fiddling the system and spill the beans about the taxes they owe to developing countries. Closing the corporate tax gap is a win-win situation – for hard working people in the developing world and the UK alike.”
The ‘IF’ movement challenges the UK government to tackle 4 big IFs to help ensure enough food for everyone:
• IF governments keep their promises on aid, invest to stop children dying from malnutrition and help the poorest people feed themselves through investment in small farmers.
• IF governments stop big companies dodging tax in poor countries, so that millions of people can free themselves from hunger.
• IF we force governments and investors to be honest and open about the deals they make in the poorest countries that stop people getting enough food.
• IF we stop poor farmers being forced off their land, and use the available agricultural land to grow food for people, not biofuels for cars.
More information can be found at www.enoughfoodif.org.
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