24 July 2007

Conservative party proposals on international development were welcomed by ActionAid today, but the charity challenged David Cameron’s party to turn them into concrete manifesto promises.

Tom Sharman, policy analyst at ActionAid, said: "It’s great to see the Conservatives finally putting real effort into international development – and this paper sets out the best set of ideas on overseas aid that the Conservatives have ever had. Let’s hope now that Cameron’s upped his game Labour and the Conservatives will start a race to the top on how the UK tackles global poverty."

The paper suggests that the government should strive to reach the UN target of 0.7% of GNI on overseas aid by 2010 – rather than the government’s plan to reach it by 2013.

However, ActionAid criticised the missing emphasis on women’s rights and corporate accountability.

On women and development - Tom Sharman, policy analyst at ActionAid said: "60% of people in Africa living with HIV are women – and in some countries women are six times more likely to contract the disease. Any plan for development in Africa really needs to emphasise the need for women’s rights at its core."

On corporate accountability - he added: "David Cameron has committed himself to standing up to big business, but this paper steers well clear of making UK PLC accountable for its negative impacts in many developing nations. While investment can and should bring growth and prosperity to poor countries it must be sustainable, responsible and not do more harm than good."

Click here to read ActionAid's response in full.