A lot can happen in a few years. In 2005 world leaders stood
proud as they promised to double aid to the poorest countries in
Africa. But fast forward to today and despite promises "not to
balance the books on the backs of the poor", there are worrying
signs resolve is fading. Murmurs in Australia suggest
politicians are considering taking from the aid budget to
resolve the deficit. Aid from rich countries fell by £2.14bn
last year. Commentators say that the "golden era of overseas aid
is over". Yet we have more evidence than ever before that aid is
working and that we have achieved remarkable results - not least
over 50 million more children enrolled in school in the last
decade. We also know, with over a billion people still living in
extreme poverty, the job is not yet over. If we are to keep
winning the fight against extreme poverty, hunger and disease
every penny counts. One of the most important battles for aid is
being played out in Brussels where leaders from 27 countries are
debating how to allocate