The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Summit has finished and leaders are returning to their capitals after coming together to discuss global poverty and progress towards the MDGs, and to try to find solutions to make sure we meet the targets. Well, there wasn’t quite enough of that from enough of them. However, there was some good news on issues that Oxfam supporters have campaigned on. 

Overall, this Summit was a major disapointment. With just five years left before the 2015 deadline to meet the MDGs there was not enough in the way of concrete plans to get them back on track. Oxfam spokesperson Emma Seery said, "The summit has been a mirage. The promises look good from a distance, but the details are hard to see, and when the world's poorest people most need help, pledges could still vanish into thin air." While not overlooking that, there were some rays of hope.

I think, from a UK perspective, there are definitely some positives to take away. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced that the UK government will double aid for maternal and child health. He also committed to the target of spending 0.7% of national income on aid by 2013. This will be met and it will be enshrined in law. This is something we have campaigned on for years, and as has been shown since the MDGs were announced, when aid is spent well it can change people’s lives. For people who took part in our Mums Matter and Don’t Drop the Ball on Aid campaigns, these are both great results. Everyone who did a keepy-uppy, 'Danced because Mums Matter' or 'bared their bumps' can be pleased that their efforts are being heard by our leaders.

People up and down the country taking action is having an effect and is making the UK government listen. Even in this difficult economic time the UK is showing the world that we will keep to our international commitments and that we won’t make poor people pay for the banking crisis. Many of the leaders that were here this week acknowledged the economic difficulties that many countries and people all over the world are facing. However, that is not an excuse to drop the MDGs. Governments must still implement national plans to ensure that the targets are met and that poor people are lifted out of poverty. Governments should look to raise the billions needed to lift people out of poverty and meet the MDGs from new sources, such as the Robin Hood Tax.

There was also good news for Robin Hood Tax supporters as the governments of France and Spain called for a tax on the financial sector to raise money for development. Now is the time for the UK to join them and implement a full Robin Hood Tax. I know that Oxfam and our campaigners will be at the forefront of the campaign, keeping the pressure on our leaders. The Summit has come to an end but the hard work continues. The UK government showed leadership in an otherwise disappointing Summit. Now we need to see the actions to back up their promises. Find out what VOICE bloggers thought about the Summit