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UK must end overseas aid spending target, say peers | UK must end overseas aid spending target, say peers |
(about 9 hours later) | |
The government should do away with its commitment to spend 0.7% of national income on overseas aid by next year, a parliamentary committee has said. | The government should do away with its commitment to spend 0.7% of national income on overseas aid by next year, a parliamentary committee has said. |
Ministers want to make the pledge, given to the UN, legally binding. | Ministers want to make the pledge, given to the UN, legally binding. |
But the Lords Economic Affairs Committee called this "inappropriate", arguing the focus should be on the effectiveness of projects rather than an "arbitrary spending target". | But the Lords Economic Affairs Committee called this "inappropriate", arguing the focus should be on the effectiveness of projects rather than an "arbitrary spending target". |
The government said cutting the aid budget would cost lives. | The government said cutting the aid budget would cost lives. |
Critics of overseas aid say too much of it is being siphoned off by corrupt regimes. | Critics of overseas aid say too much of it is being siphoned off by corrupt regimes. |
They also say money is being misdirected, with some countries in the most need of help not getting enough, while others, including India, receive too much. | They also say money is being misdirected, with some countries in the most need of help not getting enough, while others, including India, receive too much. |
'Corrosive effect' | 'Corrosive effect' |
Last year, the government promised to end direct help for 16 countries - including Russia, China and Serbia - and focus more on "fragile states" such as Pakistan. | Last year, the government promised to end direct help for 16 countries - including Russia, China and Serbia - and focus more on "fragile states" such as Pakistan. |
The overall target of spending 0.7% of gross national income was adopted by donor nations - including the UK - at the United Nations, in 1970, but few have reached it. | The overall target of spending 0.7% of gross national income was adopted by donor nations - including the UK - at the United Nations, in 1970, but few have reached it. |
The government spent 0.56% on aid in 2010 and is planning legislation to make the target legally binding. | The government spent 0.56% on aid in 2010 and is planning legislation to make the target legally binding. |
The committee warned this represented a "37% real-terms increase". | The committee warned this represented a "37% real-terms increase". |
It argued that this would "wrongly prioritise the amount spent rather than results achieved" and risk "quality, value for money, and accountability". | It argued that this would "wrongly prioritise the amount spent rather than results achieved" and risk "quality, value for money, and accountability". |
It also complained that a lack of accountability would "increase the risk of a corrosive effect on political systems in recipient countries". | It also complained that a lack of accountability would "increase the risk of a corrosive effect on political systems in recipient countries". |
The committee's chairman, Conservative Lord MacGregor of Pulham Market, said the peers "wholeheartedly" backed humanitarian aid. | The committee's chairman, Conservative Lord MacGregor of Pulham Market, said the peers "wholeheartedly" backed humanitarian aid. |
But he added: "We were unanimous in our view that legislation for a 0.7% target for overall aid spending is inappropriate, and that the government should reconsider the target itself. | But he added: "We were unanimous in our view that legislation for a 0.7% target for overall aid spending is inappropriate, and that the government should reconsider the target itself. |
"We believe that development aid should be judged by the criteria of effectiveness and value for money, not by whether a specific arbitrary spending target is reached." | "We believe that development aid should be judged by the criteria of effectiveness and value for money, not by whether a specific arbitrary spending target is reached." |
'Safer' | 'Safer' |
However, the committee welcomed the government's decision to run down aid programmes to some countries and urged an "early exit strategy" from projects in India. | However, the committee welcomed the government's decision to run down aid programmes to some countries and urged an "early exit strategy" from projects in India. |
International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said: "We welcome the committee's ringing endorsement of the tough reforms the coalition government has made to get maximum value for money from British aid. | International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said: "We welcome the committee's ringing endorsement of the tough reforms the coalition government has made to get maximum value for money from British aid. |
"The British government makes no apologies for sticking to its commitments to the world's poorest people. | "The British government makes no apologies for sticking to its commitments to the world's poorest people. |
"Spending less than 1% of our national income on aid - an internationally agreed target - will create a safer and more prosperous world for the UK. | "Spending less than 1% of our national income on aid - an internationally agreed target - will create a safer and more prosperous world for the UK. |
"And it will get 11 million children into school, vaccinate 55 million children against preventable diseases and stop 250,000 newborn babies dying needlessly. | "And it will get 11 million children into school, vaccinate 55 million children against preventable diseases and stop 250,000 newborn babies dying needlessly. |
"Going back on this promise would cost lives." | "Going back on this promise would cost lives." |
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