Commenting on the National Audit Office’s report ‘Managing the Official Development Assistance target’, Diane Sheard, UK Director of The ONE Campaign said:

“Investing 0.7 per cent of national income on overseas aid is in line with the 2010 manifestos of the three major parties and the majority of the British public support it.  We should be proud that the UK has led the world in meeting this target.

“Of course it is right to demand the highest standards of transparency and accountability for the aid budget. DFID is world class in this regard, topping independent transparency tables and being seen as a leader by its peers in other donor countries.  The challenges raised by a proportional rather than absolute financial target are not insurmountable.  As a point of principle – and a guarantee to the world’s poorest people – this is one commitment that politicians should not be deterred from.

“UK aid has a proven track record, including putting over 10 million children through school, vaccinating millions of children against killer diseases and tackling the recent Ebola crisis.   A legal commitment to invest 0.7 per cent of our national income in international aid would be a powerful example to other rich nations.”