New figures on how the UK is spending overseas development assistance have shown that the government is meeting its target to spend a certain amount of the national budget on ending poverty overseas, with the proportion of aid spending overseen by the Department for International Development increasing.
Commenting, Farah Nazeer – deputy director for advocacy at ActionAid UK – said:
“It’s welcome that the UK is meeting its commitment to helping the poorest people in the world – including women and girls. It’s also good to see the Department for International Development overseeing the majority of this spending, bucking a worrying recent trend that saw other parts of government – with less transparent records – taking on more aid responsibilities. The evidence is clear that when DfID takes a lead, this brings more transparency for UK taxpayers, and a better focus on the rights of women and girls around the world. This trend needs to continue – the government should prioritise using DfID’s expertise to improve the standards of other departments who are spending more aid funds than before.”
ENDS
For further information, contact the media team on email: claire.wilkinson@actionaid.org, alice.gillham@actionaid.org, or charlotte.clarke@actionaid.org; or if out of hours, on +44 (0) 7753 973 486.
Notes to editors
1. ActionAid is an international charity that works with women and girls living in poverty in over 40 countries around the world. Our dedicated local staff are helping end violence against women and girls and changing lives, for good. We won’t stop until women and girls are out of danger, out of poverty and on track to create the future they want.
2. The figures cover UK aid spending in 2018. The data saw the proportion of aid spent by the Department for International Development increasing, from 71.9 to 74.9 per cent. There was also a reduction in the percentage (and total amount) spent on humanitarian assistance.
3. More information about the 2018 UK aid spending figures can be seen at website of umbrella organisation Bond, here.