Following the reappointment of Justine Greening as Secretary of State for International Development after the election, Diane Sheard, UK Director of The ONE Campaign, said: “As the Cabinet Minister responsible for continuing UK’s leadership on overseas development, we wish Justine Greening every success as she returns to her in role at DFID.

“As the new Government begins its programme of work, it is crucial that ending extreme poverty is seen as a top foreign policy priority. It’s squarely in our national interest as we cannot have a safer and more secure world without tackling extreme poverty and extreme inequality.  And in doing so, the UK must keep its promises to the world’s poorest. Indeed this something that a large majority of the UK public support⁽¹⁾ .

“More than 32,000 people have signed ONE’s petition asking new MPs to say ‘Yes’ to targeting most UK aid on those who have the least and to put girls and women at the heart of development.  Almost 100 MPs have already backed the pledge and we call on other MPs to follow suit.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• A poll conducted by ComRes for ONE found that 77% – more than three in four Britons – agree that MPs should ensure that the UK keeps its promises to the world’s poorest. ComRes interviewed 2,004 British adults by telephone between the 20^th and 22^nd March 2015. Data were weighted to be representative of all British adults aged 18+. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.