Bond statement in response to PM's announcement that aid budget will support UK’s national interest

Responding to PM Theresa May’s recommitment that 0.7% of gross national income will be spent on official development assistance but that aid will be used to serve our national interest, Claire Godfrey, head of policy and campaigns at Bond, the UK network that represents UK international development NGOs, said:

“It is welcome that the UK is keen to forge stronger economic links with Africa. Trade and investment play an important role in helping the world’s poorest people out of poverty and during times of crisis. We would, however, be concerned if these efforts were weighted in favour of UK trade or UK private investors at the cost of helping the poorest, most vulnerable and marginalised people in the world.

The UK government should focus its efforts on tackling the root causes of poverty, climate change and conflict, as well as creating decent jobs and secure livelihoods. This means addressing the barriers that risk the most vulnerable, such as women, youth and people with disabilities, being left behind.

We should all support the type of economic development that tackles inequality, helps people out of poverty and is environmentally sustainable.”

ENDS

Link to PM’s speech in Cape Town: 28 August 2018: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pms-speech-in-cape-town-28-august-2018
Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 450 civil society organisations and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.
For further information please contact Maryam Mohsin, [email protected] or 07555 336029