An Oxfam shop manager has criticised the House of Lords for urging the government to drop its commitment to increasing aid.

Karen Pryce, who runs Streatham Hill Oxfam shop, has unveiled a photo exhibition to show why aid is important and why more is needed.

She said: “Times are tough, but the UK is still one of the richest countries in the world. We want free healthcare, especially for pregnant women and children. We can help stop women needlessly dying in childbirth.”

The exhibition shows the story of two women from Ghana where healthcare for pregnant women has been free since 2008 helping 433,000 women receive care life saving care while pregnant or giving birth in the first year alone.

This was made possible in part by UK aid working with the Ghanaian government.

She added: “It’s not perfect. There still aren’t enough trained health workers or health centres so access isn’t equal across the country. But surely that’s a reason to keep working with them to ensure improvement, and also to work with other countries to see more of the same.”

UK aid currently stands at about 0.56 per cent of national income and the Government had promised to increase this to 0.7 per cent by 2013.

But The Lords want the Government to drop its pledge to increase aid calling it "inappropriate."

Campaigners say dropping their promise will deprive millions of the world's poorest people of life-saving medicines, clean water and the chance to go to school.

Visitors to the exhibition will be asked to fill out postcards which will be sent to MPs urging them to hold the government to its promise.

The exhibition will be touring South West London at locations including Brixton Library and Kings Hospital but organisers are appealing for more venues to come forward to host the exhibition.

Anyone with a venue available for the exhibition should call 02078029975 or email ecooney@oxfam.org.uk