To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) whether he expects the targets set at the recent G8 summit for education for every child to be met by 2015; (143733)

While the G8 did not agree additional long-term education targets at the Heiligendamm summit, the G8 did agree to implement the commitments on development made at Gleneagles. This includes support for long-term funding for education, and to continue to work with partners and other donors to meet shortfalls in all Education for All Fast Track Initiative (FTI) endorsed countries, estimated by the FTI Secretariat at around $500 million for 2007.

With regard to the Millennium Development Goal target of achieving universal primary education by 2015, faster progress and a concerted effort by all donors is needed. The UK has already made a long-term commitment to help achieve this target through our promise to provide £8.5 million over 10 years in support of education, announced in April 2006. The support for long-term funding agreed at Heiligendamm is welcomed and shows that the UK approach and example should be adopted. We will continue to use all opportunities to urge other donors to also meet their promises.