Why the UK’s international aid is so important
“UK aid has already done so much to change the lives of the world’s poorest children. British aid has educated 11 million children in the last five years. The UK’s investment in immunisation in the same period ensured 67.1 million children were protected against preventable diseases. That’s more than the population of the UK.
This year, the Department for International Development announced a plan to increase investment in family planning by 25% meaning 120 million more women and girls will be able to access contraception by 2020, giving them the power to plan their lives.
In spite of this amazing progress, aid is increasingly under attack from both the national press and backbench politicians. In this climate, it is not a given that our life-saving commitment to spend 0.7% of our national income on international aid is secure.”
If conversation over Christmas should turn to challenging this aid and that commitment, this short briefing will be helpful.