Brexit - 'UK must continue to lead fight against poverty'

The UK must remain an outward-looking country and an international leader against poverty and global threats following voters' historic decision to leave the European Union, Christian Aid said on Friday.

"After a bruising campaign which has split the country down the middle it is now vital that we come together as a nation and recognise we are all part of a global human family," said Loretta Minghella, Christian Aid's Chief Executive.

"Leaving the EU must not mean turning our backs on the world, especially those in our world struggling to free themselves from poverty. The UK has long been a leader of global progress towards a world free from poverty and there is no reason why that should change now that it has voted to leave the EU," she said.

"The UK is fundamentally an outward-looking country, strongly connected through trade, family ties, history, culture, travel and human decency to people in other countries around the world."

She also cautioned that during the period of uncertainty when the UK is in transition to its new status outside of the European Union, the urgent needs of people living in poverty must not be forgotten.

"Even as the UK undergoes this momentous change, Christian Aid believes we must not forget people living in poverty around the world, many of them enduring violence, hunger and deep injustice," added Ms Minghella.

Source: Christian Aid