Joint statement: Leading UK aid organisations react to political parties 0.7% commitment to aid

A joint statement from the leading UK aid organisations* said:

"It's encouraging that three major parties have committed to maintain the UK's spending on international aid. The UK's promise to help the world's poorest people makes a huge difference. It saves lives when disaster strikes, helps people stand on their own two feet and transforms the futures of children, communities and nations across the world. Keeping this promise is the right thing to do. It reflects the values of the millions of people around the UK who support our organisations and those of a bigger Britain of which we can all be proud."

"It's also vital that this money delivers for the world's poorest people in the poorest countries, and is spent where it is needed most. For UK aid to be as effective as possible, we need the highest levels of transparency and accountability, an independent Department for International Development as the primary body delivering UK aid, and an unequivocal commitment to helping the poorest people and communities. The OECD rules exist to ensure that this is the case and any changes risk a dangerous dilution of their impact. We will work with the incoming government to ensure that UK aid makes the biggest difference in changing people's lives and tackling poverty."

Notes to Editors

*The leading UK aid organisations who have signed this statement are CAFOD, UNICEF UK, Malaria Consortium, ActionAid, Comic Relief, Bond, World Vision UK, Plan International UK, ONE, VSO, Tearfund, RESULTS UK, Oxfam GB, Save the Children, IRC UK, Concern, Christian Aid, Malaria No More UK

These organisations are supported by over 5 million people in the UK.

Keywords: Advocacy and policy