Today the International Development Bill – which would enshrine in law the UK’s investment of 0.7 per cent of national income in overseas aid – passed its second reading. All three major parties promised to deliver legislation on UK aid in their 2010 election manifestos.

Diane Sheard, UK Director of the ONE Campaign, said:

“Parliament has taken a step in the right direction to deliver its promise of helping the world’s poorest people. Ensuring the International Development Bill passed its second reading was crucial in keeping the UK’s admirable record of overseas aid on track.

“Overseas aid is the right thing to do, the smart thing to do, and is supported by more than 20,000 people who signed ONE’s petition on this Bill.  Now it is up to Parliament to finish the job, making the International Development Bill law and sealing the deal on UK aid.

“Poverty halved between 1990 and 2010 from 43 per cent of the world’s population to 21 per cent.  By making the UK’s investment a legal duty, we are taking a clear step towards eliminating extreme poverty altogether.”