Today the International Development Bill passed its third reading in the House of Lords, completing its final stage before receiving Royal Assent. Once passed, the Act will enshrine in law the UK’s long-standing commitment of investing 0.7 per cent of national income in lifesaving aid.

Speaking in response, Diane Sheard, UK Director of ONE said: “The promise of a law to protect the UK’s lifesaving aid budget was in all major parties’ 2010 election manifestos. We are delighted that, in the twilight of this Parliament, this promise has finally been delivered.

“This legislation will assure the world’s poorest that they continue to have British support. It brings certainty that, in the years ahead, we will continue to help them lift themselves out of poverty. 

 “Now the debate must focus on the quality and impact of aid. Whoever forms the next government must ensure that most of the UK’s lifesaving aid goes to those who have the least so that we can end the injustice of one billion people living in extreme poverty.”

ENDS

Notes

The promise to invest 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI) in Official Development Assistance (ODA) was made in 1969 in the Pearson Commission report. The UK hit this target for the first time in 2013 – being the first G7 country to do so – and the new legislation will mean that Britain maintains this level of life-saving aid.