Geldof: 'Britain failing Live8 promises'
Tony Blair faced embarrassing criticism from Bob Geldof and Bono today after a new report found that Britain was breaking its Live8 promises.
Lobby group Debt, Aid, Trade and Africa said all the G8 nations were making "painfully slow" progress on tackling global poverty.
In its first annual report since last year's Gleneagles summit and Live8 concert, the campaign group said the UK should increase its budget to Africa by nearly half a billion pounds immediately.
The report, being launched today by U2 frontman Bono, Geldof and African singer Youssou N'Dour, says progress is "proceeding at best at half-pace" and many countries have failed to live up to their pledges.
Debt relief is improving but trade talks have gone backwards. On HIV, countries have pledged only half of what was needed and on aid most still need to do more.
The report says Britain offered an extra £115 million in 2005 but warns: "This is off track to meet ... Gleneagles commitments".
The Government must increase development assistance by £236 million in 2006, "which should be achievable given the strength of recent announcements" by ministers, it says.
