The ONE Campaign urges party leaders to support the International Development Bill

Diane Sheard, UK Director of The ONE Campaign said:

“This Bill aims to ensure that the UK’s investment in overseas aid – and the impact it makes towards eliminating extreme poverty – remains steadfast. It is a promise made both in the Conservative Party manifesto in 2010 and in the Coalition Agreement.

“Crises like Ebola show just how essential it is that we help the world’s most vulnerable countries build-up their own robust health systems. The fact is UK aid has protected some 48 million children against killer diseases and has helped put 10 million children through school.

“The UK has proudly been a world leader in overseas aid.  By making it a legal duty to invest just 0.7% of national income in helping the world’s poorest, millions more lives will be saved.  All party leaders should support this Bill. UK aid is something we should all be proud of.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors: The International Development Bill, a Private Members Bill brought forward by Lib-Dem MP Michael Moore, is due to have its third reading on December 5th. If passed it would enshrine the UK’s commitment to invest 0.7% of Gross National Income in overseas aid.