Labour Party
International Development discussions at the Labour Party Conference
The Labour Party Conference took place from 27 September to 1 October.
On Day 3 of the Conference Prime Minister Gordon Brown in his key speech pledged to enshrine in law the commitment to spend 0.7% of national income on international development aid. The Bond submission to the Government White Paper on International Development called for the 0.7% target to become law and Bond therefore welcomes the Prime Minister’s proposal to enact such legislation.
Read Gordon Brown's speech in full.
Nick Roseveare, Bond Chief Executive, said: "UK international development organisations and their public supporters have lobbied long and hard for more and better aid and we welcome that the Government is to pass legislation requiring aid spending to reach the level of 0.7% of national income. The UK must spend at least this amount if the promises Britain has made to the poorest people in the world are to be kept."
Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, spoke on Day 5 of the Conference, highlighting that the impact of the financial crisis and climate change are felt strongly in developing countries. He also emphasised Labour's commitment to support the access to strong public services in the developing world as well as to provide more and better aid.
