As the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, presented a Budget which put public spending under pressure, ActionAid has praised the UK government for sticking to the aid promises it made at Gleneagles in 2005, when three million people supported the call to Make Poverty History.

ActionAid welcomed the government’s showing international leadership at a time when poor people are being hit hard by the recession, and expressed the hope that other G8 leaders – some of whom have already cut their aid budgets – will follow Britain’s example.

Hussaini Abdu, director of ActionAid Nigeria, said: "In tough times the British government has kept its promises. This makes a real difference for those of us in countries facing the daily challenges of fighting poverty, rebuilding lives and giving a sense of hope in the future for our children.

"The government has shown courage in maintaining its aid for the world’s poorest people at a time when they need it most. The UK has shown leadership; we hope that other G8 leaders follow this example."

Melissa Hall, aid policy officer at ActionAid, said : "I am happy to see that on international aid, the government has kept its promises to the British public, who expect that the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people will receive our support during the turmoil of the financial crisis.

"While numbers are hitting the headlines today, the government must remember that it is not just about how much, but how well the money is spent."

ActionAid welcomed the announcement of a UK carbon budget, but said the target of a 34 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 was too low.

Tom Sharman, ActionAid’s climate justice coordinator, said: "It is good to see the UK committing to a firm target. However, it falls short of the 40 per cent that ActionAid and many developing countries believe rich countries should be aiming for."