Call for clean hands

This week we've learned how much the prime minister paid to have his clothes washed and his house cleaned (Report, 12 October). His commitment to cleanliness and hygiene is very impressive considering that the vast majority of people in the UK and around the world don't even wash their hands properly.

Handwashing with soap is the cheapest, simplest and most effective public health intervention available. It not only stops the spread of diseases like swine flu but can also prevent millions of children under five from dying from diarrhoea and respiratory illnesses. Despite its potential, handwashing with soap has not been sufficiently prioritised by governments or donors.

Today, World Handwashing Day, is the perfect opportunity for Gordon Brown and other politicians to commit to invest government resources on promoting the benefits of handwashing with soap rather than spending it on their dry cleaning.

Louise Holly

Deputy director, Results UK