LONDON, March 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
The Queen today gave her assent to the International Development Bill, which guarantees the UK's commitment to overseas aid. The bill, now an act of parliament, was included in all three party manifestos in 2010 and sees the UK commit to continuing to spend 0.7% of its Gross National Income (GNI) on overseas aid.
As the UK membership body for 450 international development charities, Bond congratulates MPs and Lords from all parties who supported the bill. They have sent a positive message, that as a country we will keep our promises to the world's poorest people, supporting them to lift themselves out of poverty.
Ben Jackson, CEO of Bond said, "We're grateful for all the MPs and Lords who turned up to vote for it when the bill passed through Parliament. UK development programmes offer a hand up so everyone can stand on their own two feet. We should be very proud that the UK has made good on its 0.7% aid commitment."
"By enshrining this in law we are ensuring that British aid will continue until it is no longer needed. It also sends a strong signal to other rich countries that they too must meet their aid targets. It was promising to see that just 10 days after the House of Lords passed the bill in the UK, Germany approved the largest increase and the highest ever development aid budget in its history. But there is still some way to go for them to follow the UK's lead in committing 0.7% of German GNI."
First pledged 45 years ago in a 1970 UN General Assembly Resolution, the 0.7 target has been affirmed in many international agreements over the years.
Jackson said, "The recent turning of the tide in the fight against Ebola is an example of how the generosity of the British people is saving lives. In Freetown, more Union Jack flags fly than in London. This is not because we invaded but because we worked with the brave doctors and nurses of Sierra Leone to liberate their country from the clutches of a deadly disease. It is part of a modern role for an outward facing UK with shared values of humanity at the forefront."
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