Leaders of all the main parties have pledged to tackle global poverty.

Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and nationalist leaders marked 'world poverty day' with a series of keynote speeches.

The Make Poverty History campaign warns that 30,000 children are dying as a result of extreme poverty every day.

And the decision of the five main parties to all focus on one issue marks an unusual break in rival electioneering.

Make Poverty History had called on all the parties to spend one day of the campaign focusing on the relief of world poverty.

And with each believing they have a positive case to make on the issue, the main party leaders detailed their plans to boost aid and remove trade barriers.

The issue has also moved up the agenda with Britain's presidency of the G8, and the publication of Tony Blair's Africa Commission report.

Labour plans

At an event in London, the prime minister was joined by Gordon Brown to set out Labour's plans to tackle global poverty.

The chancellor spoke of the deep impact that his recent trip to Africa had made on him, where he had witnessed first hand the "grinding poverty".

"When 30,000 children die each day from avoidable diseases, we, the richest countries, cannot walk by on the other side," said Brown.

And in a passionate speech, Blair said 2005 should be "the year of a new beginning for Africa".

He said it was a "scandal" that so many people were dying needlessly.

"If we are given the chance and are re-elected, I can make you this commitment. We will work night and day to end the scandal of poverty in Africa," said the prime minister.

"When they tell us it can't be done, we shall say it must be done.

"When they tell we can't afford it, we will say we can't afford not to afford it."

Free trade

Conservative leader Michael Howard also made a speech on the issue, saying he was "delighted" it was on the election agenda.

"I'm particularly pleased that the cause of making poverty history is something that has united the parties in this country," he said.

"There is not much in this election campaign on which we agree but we do agree we should substantially increase our international aid by £800 million over the next three years, that we should work towards meeting the United Nations target of 0.7 per cent of national income by 2013 and that we should work towards cancelling the debt of the poorest countries in the world.

"If we can work together to achieve that we will all be performing a service to the rest of the people who share this planet with us."

He also attacked the "double standards" of the richer nation which raise trade barriers even when pledging action on poverty.

Lib Dems

Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy said his party is committed to increasing British aid spending to at least 0.5 per cent of gross national income (GNI) by 2007/08, rising to 0.7 per cent by 2011 at the latest.

He also called for 100 per cent debt relief for the poorest countries and more action to tackle the spread of Aids and HIV.

"Britain is a wealthy country, a prosperous country. It is the duty of countries such of ours, with the means to help, to take action to make poverty history," said Kennedy.

"It is not only the right thing to do, it is in our national interest too.

"In an increasingly inter-connected world, problems - and responsibilities - have become internationalised.

"Only strong and concerted action by states in partnership will achieve sustainable development.

"We have an historic opportunity to make the world fairer."

Nationalists

SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon also set out her party's commitment to scrapping debt and raising international aid to 0.7 per cent of GNI.

"After the recent tsunami disaster people across Scotland reacted with incredible generosity," she said.

"Showing that people are very concerned about global poverty.

"In contrast the government's mealy-mouthed response was clear. They must now commit to implementing the 0.7 per cent of GNI pledge made over 30 years ago."

Plaid Cymru policy director Simon Thomas called for the negotiation of a fairer system for international trade.

He also said the World Trade Organisation, World Bank and International Monetary Fund should be brought under the auspices of the United Nations.

The Welsh nationalists also back an increase in UK overseas aid to the 0.7 per cent UN target figure, full cancellation of third world debt and the "mobilisation of resources" in order to achieve the 2015 international development targets.