• READING your report (Research shows one in 10 kids in the borough don’t own a book, February 16) was a powerful reminder of the continued importance of targeted anti-poverty programmes both in our local community and in the wider world.

As a volunteer at The Borgen Project, an international campaign to get wealthy countries to increase their aid to the world’s poorest, I have been lucky enough to see first-hand the transformative effect that the UK Overseas Development Assistance has had in tackling extreme poverty.

However with attention focused on the war in Ukraine, the cost of living crisis, and the many other issues facing our country, I worry that our responsibilities towards the most vulnerable risk being forgotten.

In particular it is extremely concerning that the United Kingdom government has still not returned to the 0.7 per cent (of GNI, gross national income) aid target mandated by law.

I would urge any readers interested in protecting the ODA to join The Borgen Project’s campaign, and reach out to our Islington MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Emily Thornberry. And let them know that their constituents still care about fighting for those without a voice.

CHARLES HILL, N19