This week saw the first International Development questions of the new coalition government; unfortunately it revealed the Conservatives are already fudging their promises on aid.
This week saw the first International Development questions of the new coalition government; unfortunately it revealed the Conservatives are already fudging their promises on aid. In their manifesto, the Tories pledged to “legislate in the first session of a new Parliament” to enshrine in law that 0.7 per cent of gross national income (GNI) will be spent as official development assistance.
They also vowed in their Coalition Programme for Government to continue the UK’s international leadership on aid and meeting the Millennium Development Goals. But as we reported last week, a Bill on 0.7% was missing from the Queen’s Speech.
Questioning this, Gareth Thomas, former Minister of State at the Department for International Development asked:
“Will not one telling signal of the new Government’s willingness to show leadership on this issue be whether they bring forward legislation to put the UN’s aid target of 0.7% on the statute book before [the MDG] September summit?”
In his answer, international development secretary Andrew Mitchell refused to give a timetable for the 0.7% Bill, saying only:
“If he will bide his time in patience, he will see that that is precisely what we will do.”
His answer confirmed by omission that legislation would not be on the statute book by the time of the MDG summit and will undermine the UK reputation for international leadership that Labour has passed on to the coalition; Labour left the coalition a draft Bill that had been scrutinized by the International Development Select Committee, so why the delay?
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26 Responses to “Tories break promise to legislate on 0.7% in first parliament”
David Taylor
@Anon E Mouse
Who are you by the way? I struggle to take seriously someone who tells me to grow up who posts under an alias. I’m quite open how I am, check out my profile.
If you read my articles you’ll see the evidence – in this case, a promise in the Conservative manifesto to legislate on 0.7% in their first parliament, broken because the Queen speech contained no such bill, and Mitchell has subsequently ducked the question. Sticking to ‘OECD guidelines’ for aid could mean less aid as our UK aid has until now not included immigration costs or university scholarships. See previous posts.
International leadership refers to our leadership on international aid, from the G8 summit in Gleneagles to the Global Fund to our position at the Copenhagen talks. Glad you find that amusing.
Anon E Mouse
David Taylor – Remind me why my identity alters the validity of my comments? Unless of course your intention is to do the usual Labour trick of attempting to smear me personally rather than debating my responses to your speculative work of fiction.
Until the emergency budget on June 22nd how do you know how much may or may not be spent in overseas aid?
I do know that every Labour government, without exception, leaves office with unemployment, inequity and the national debt higher than when they took office – this time it has been even worse.
You appear to display the typical humourless Labour approach to this matter – even stating that “the big bad Tories” are being nasty seems to forget the fact there is a coalition government in this country.
Labour lost the election David and this is a complete fictional non-story.
Who pays your wages btw because this non-story smacks of someone trying to justify his salary… (second time…)
David Taylor
@Anon E Mouse I am not currently employed by anyone but am seeking employment as a Parliamentary Researcher. My argument is clear – sticking to ‘OECD guidelines’ for UK aid could mean less aid as our UK aid has until now not included immigration costs or university scholarships. See previous posts.
Anon E Mouse
David Taylor – I don’t disagree with your argument or for one minute suggest you have anything but good intentions at heart.
My only point is that you should try to be less partisan, it looks studentish and you should be less reactionary in tone – that works better for bringing people on side.
Finally we shall have to agree to disagree on the content of your posting. Although it is nice to see you defend your views – take note her Joss Garman – I do think we need to wait until the budget on June 22nd.
I think you’ll find the Aid Budget doesn’t get cut…. (I hope)
Coalition deserves praise for leading the world on aid transparency | Left Foot Forward
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