Fair trade 'more effective than giving to charity'

A recent ICM poll, conducted on behalf of the Department for International Development, has revealed that British consumers believe shopping ethically is a more effective way to relieve global poverty than donating to charity.

The poll found that 61 per cent of people felt they had a personal responsibility to help relieve poverty; most said that charities were the biggest influence on their decision to take action. 74 per cent of respondents in the poll thought buying fair trade goods was an effective way to benefit those in the developing world.