Recently, I have received emails about the ‘Just Say Yes’ campaign and international development.
Investing in overseas development is something Britain can be proud of. I believe in being a country that shapes the world. Tackling poverty overseas also means tackling the root causes of global problems such as disease, drugs, migration, terrorism, and climate change, which matter to us here in Britain. Our aid has already had a real impact across the world, between 2010 and 2015, we have:
· Delivered better nutrition to 11 million children and pregnant women
· Immunised 55 million children
· Put over 11 million children into school.
The last Coalition Government made a very clear pledge to deliver 0.7 per cent of the UK's Gross National Income (GNI) as Official Development Assistance from 2013 and enshrined this in law. This Government upholds this commitment to investing 0.7 per cent of our national income in overseas development.
In 2013, for the first time ever, the UK met the pledge to spend 0.7 per cent on aid. The UK is one of five countries to spend 0.7 per cent of GNI on aid and the first G8 country to meet this longstanding commitment. Delivering 0.7 per cent, along with a permanent seat at the UN Security Council and our role as a founder member of the G8, is a key part of the UK's global leadership.
I can assure you that the Government is committed to tackling extreme poverty.