GIVE money? We’d rather shop, thanks. British people think that buying fair trade goods is a more effective way of tackling global poverty than giving to charity, according to a poll conducted on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Of 2,000 British consumers surveyed by ICM, 74 per cent said that ethical shopping was an effective way to help people in developing countries, reports ThirdSector.co.uk . Only 65 per cent felt that donating money was effective.

“More people are looking for additional ways [in which] they can make a difference,” says Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development – 61 per cent feel that they have a personal responsibility to help to relieve poverty. Most say that charities are the biggest influence on their decision to take action. However, Stefanie Pfeil, the fundraising director at War on Want, an antipoverty charity, says that while ethical shopping is important, charitable donations have a greater impact on poor people’s lives.

“Fairly traded goods represent only a small proportion of all purchases,” she says. “Donations to charities such as ours support campaigns for binding UK legislation to stop corporate abuse.”

Times Recommends

• Minister in talks with Saudis to protect creditors
• Premier Inn hits back in £29-a-room row
• Bankers hit back at 'populist' bonus supertax