21 February 2013
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Responding to reports on the comments made by Prime Minister David Cameron on the use of aid on fragile states, a DFID spokesperson said:
"All DFID's aid spend is in line with internationally agreed guidelines.
"As part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review, we pledged to invest 30% of our bilateral aid in fragile and conflict-affected countries by 14/15 and we work closely with the Foreign Office (FCO) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to make sure our approach is joined up, including through the Conflict Pool which provides funding for conflict prevention."
Find out more about our work in conflict zones
Responding to the Woman's Hour debate on BBC Radio 4 around access to abortion services in conflict zones, a DFID spokesperson said:
"In conflict situations UK-funded medical care is provided through humanitarian organisations who work according to humanitarian principles including the provision of non-discriminatory aid provided according to need and need alone.
"On access to abortion services, UK policy is clear: the UK development budget can be used, without exception, to provide safe abortion care where necessary, and to the extent allowed by national laws. In conflict situations where denying an abortion in accordance with national law would threaten the mother’s life or cause unbearable suffering, international humanitarian law principles may justify performing an abortion rather than extending what amounts to inhumane treatment in the form of an act of cruel treatment or torture. This will depend both on the woman’s condition and the safety and security of the humanitarian staff.
"US regulations on the provision of abortion services have no influence on UK funding. We maintain good discussions with US and Norwegian counterparts. The UK remains one of only a handful of international donors willing to tackle this highly sensitive issue."
11 January 2013
Responding to reports in The Guardian and Daily Telegraph about the Ethiopia Peace and Development programme, a spokesperson said:
"Not a penny of British money will go to the Liyu police force. Reforming the Special Police is critical for achieving a safe and secure Somali Region and, following a request from Human Rights Watch, we are discussing with UN partners how we might work together to improve the Police’s human rights record.
"The Peace and Development programme will bring safety, security and justice, as well as healthcare, water and education, to hundreds of thousands of people in the Somali region of Ethiopia. The safety and justice part of this programme will boost personal safety and the quality and reach of justice services, particularly for women and girls."
Background
The Peace and Development Programme will create a more peaceful and inclusive Somali Region by helping:
More about our work in Ethiopia
02 January 2013
Speaking in response to the report on overseas aid by Civitas, a DFID spokesperson said:
"Sticking to our pledge is both the right thing and the smart thing to do and will create a safer, more prosperous world. Fighting global poverty means tackling the root causes of problems such as disease and terrorism which matter to us here in Britain.
"The Coalition government has radically reformed our development spend by focussing resources on a smaller number of countries and agencies, helping economies to stand on their own two feet and setting up an independent watchdog to scrutinise spending and root out waste."
05 December 2012
Speaking after the Chancellor's Autumn Statement, International Development Secretary Justine Greening said:
"The Coalition Government has today reaffirmed its commitment to the world's poorest people by confirming the UK will spend 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) on international development from 2013. We will be the first G8 country to do so.
"Achieving our pledge of 0.7% is the right thing to do and the smart thing to do. It is in everyone's interests for countries around the world to be stable and secure, to have educated and healthy populations, and to have growing economies."
More on Official Development Assistance
27 November 2012
"The International Development Secretary has made clear she judges the overall body of evidence of Rwandan involvement with M23 in the DRC to be credible and compelling. The allegations in the UN Group of Experts' report will necessarily be a key factor in future aid decisions to the Government of Rwanda, including the next decision on budget support."
"Keeping our promises to the world's poorest people by achieving our pledge of 0.7% isn't just the right thing to do, but the smart thing to do. It is in everyone's interests for countries around the world to be stable and secure, to have educated and healthy populations, and to have growing economies."
Read the statement from Justine Greening and William Hague in response to the UN's DR Congo report
22 November 2012
Responding to the Gaza ceasefire, a DFID spokesperson said:
"The recent conflict in Gaza has left a terrible burden on the local population and civilians and children are particularly vulnerable. The ceasefire is a welcome development and should allow the free movement of humanitarian relief.
"The UK has already deployed additional staff on the ground in the Occupied Palestinian Territories to help make sure aid gets where it is needed most.
"Over the summer, DFID made £20m support available to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNRWA) to help provide essential services to the refugee population, including those in Gaza. DFID will continue to work with partners on the ground to ensure that humanitarian goods including medicines, fuel and supplies reach the population at this critical time."
20 November 2012
Responding to the latest report from the Independent Commission for Aid Impact, a DFID spokesperson said:
"This was a limited enquiry in that the team only visited 1% of schools, most of which were in only one state in Nigeria, and they did not take into account the most recent evidence of the projects' progress. However, we will carefully review the report's recommendations and respond in due course." Background
The ICAI field team visited only 20 schools out of the 12,000 – or 1.16% of the schools covered by the two programmes. Most of the evidence used comes from only one of ten states covered by these programmes. Sokoto is the most far-flung and the least representative with almost no other DFID projects.
Read the report
In response to ongoing fighting in Gaza, a DFID spokesperson said:
"We urge all parties to the conflict to do all they can to urgently de-escalate the situation and to support Egyptian-led efforts to end the violence. We are also urging all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and to give humanitarian agencies the safe access necessary to help those in need.
"We are deeply concerned about civilian casualties on both sides and will continue to closely monitor the developing situation. The UK is already working with humanitarian agencies and other bodies in the region to address the current needs of the civilian population of Gaza and to help plan for possible future needs.
"The UK is currently the fourth largest donor to UNRWA, which provides health, education and social services to over 800,000 refugees in Gaza and we also support other initiatives inside Gaza to provide food, employment and education. Most of UNRWA's health centres and food distribution centres are continuing to operate and some of its education services are still running."
Latest update from the Foreign Office
4 October 2012
In response a DFID spokesperson said:
"We share Oxfam's concern that so many people go to bed hungry around the world every night. The coalition government is committed to ending world hunger, which is why earlier this year we hosted the hunger summit to push for faster global action to end malnutrition.
"We will continue to push the international community for concerted action to bring food security across the developing world."
Between 2011-2015, the UK will reach 20 million children under 5 with nutrition programmes.
It will also ensure 4 million people will have enough food throughout the year by 2015.
More information on the Global Hunger event
17 September 2012
A DFID spokesperson said:
"The Secretary of State has asked for an internal report into the Department’s spend on technical experts.
"As the new International Development Secretary she is taking a close look at every aspect of the Department’s spending."
British taxpayers rightly expect DFID to closely and robustly monitor development and humanitarian programmes. That can involve using expert organisations to help ensure delivery and close oversight of the effectiveness of aid projects on the ground, which can often take place in remote or rural areas. Those organisations have won contracts to work for DFID through a best value, competitive bid process.
Alongside ensuring efficient delivery of projects on the ground, DFID is also working more effectively with the FCO in streamlining the UK's operations overseas. Co-locating DFID offices with the Foreign Office's British High Commissions will save the British taxpayer millions of pounds a year.
13 September 2012
In response to the Child Mortality Report 2012 published today, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Lynne Featherstone, said:
"It is heartening to see a real reduction in these figures but it is shocking that children worldwide are still dying of preventable causes.
"This is why are we are committed to help immunise up to 250 million children in developing countries by 2015.
"We will strive to save the lives of at least 250,000 newborn babies by the same date and we are tackling big killers such as inadequate nutrition and poor water and sanitation. We will also save children's lives by improving the welfare of their mothers: by keeping more girls in school, by empowering women to decide when and if to have children, and by ensuring access to skilled care when they do."
More children across the world survive their fifth birthday now than ever before according to data released by UNICEF and its partners today.
The total estimated number of under-five deaths fell from nearly 12 million in 1990 to 6.9 million in 2011.
12 September 2012
Secretary of State for International Development, Justine Greening, reconfirmed the UK's commitment to spend 0.7% of gross national income on aid by 2013 during her first meeting with aid charities:
"Delivering on our promise of 0.7% is the right thing to do, whether it's helping countries cope with natural disasters and famines, or working with some of the British charities who are world leaders in international development. I will critically assess our budget on behalf of the British taxpayer to make sure that, pound for pound, it goes exactly where it's intended and where it can make the biggest difference."
"A strong focus on international development is also the smart thing for Britain to do. You only have to look at the business generated by China and India to see the potential they provide for UK companies as their export markets continue to develop. My work in international development will sit alongside the Foreign Office's work led by William Hague to build strong relationships around the world, as the developing countries of today become our trading partners of tomorrow."
Full article on The Guardian website
02 September 2012
Attending the funeral of Ethiopian Primer Minister Meles Zenawi, the UK Minister for International Development, Stephen O’Brien, made the following Statement:
"As the representative of the British Government, I pay tribute, on this terribly sad occasion, to the life and work of His Excellency Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.
"Prime Minister Meles’ showed tremendous leadership on global issues. His considerable intellect and insights on issues ranging from economic development to climate change have been hugely influential in catalysing progress in the Horn of Africa region.
"I would particularly like to commend his outstanding peacekeeping work in the lead up to the London Conference on Somalia and on the recent talks between Sudan and South Sudan.
"Closer to home, his personal contribution to Ethiopia's development, in particular by lifting millions of Ethiopians out of poverty, has set an example for the world.
"On behalf of people in the United Kingdom I wish to pay respects today to Prime Minister Meles’ legacy of placing Ethiopia on a path to peace and prosperity.
"We remain firmly committed to working with Ethiopia to fully realise Ato Meles’ vision of a modern, successful, and democratic nation. Our thoughts today are with his family and with the people of Ethiopia. Ato Meles will be greatly missed."
15 August 2012
British aid is not used to fund India's space programme. Our development aid to India is earmarked for specific purposes like tackling child malnutrition, providing malaria bednets and secondary education for Dalit girls.
Andrew Mitchell personally ensured that the programme was overhauled to reflect India's rising resources, and to ensure that it represents good value for money for the British taxpayer. Our work is now focused in three of the poorest states and by 2015 about half of the programme will focus on private sector investment to help the people out of poverty.
As Andrew Mitchell has said, we won't be in India forever, we are walking the final mile. The Indian government has made great progress on tackling poverty but there is still huge need.
See Andrew Mitchell's response to previous media reports on aid to India
8 August 2012
Welcoming the appointment of the fellow co-chairs to the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation, Britain's Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell said:
"I am delighted to be joined by such eminent co-chairs. Ms. Okonjo-Iweala and Ms. Alisjahbana will bring their unique drive, dynamism and determination to our new global partnership to improve the way we fight poverty.
"Their deep knowledge of the challenges and opportunities faced by poor and emerging nations will be vital as we work to make our aid more transparent and focussed on delivering real results.
"Working with the diverse and expert Steering Committee, we will take forward this new partnership to tackle the root causes of global poverty and help the economies, markets and societies of the poorest countries to flourish."
Andrew Mitchell, Britain's Secretary of State for International Development, was appointed as co-chair for the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation in June 2012.
Armida Alisjahbana, Indonesia's Minister of State for National Development Planning and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria's Minister of Finance, will join him as fellow co-chairs of the partnership.
In addition, experts from traditional donors, emerging economies, developing nations, the private sector and civil society organisations have been appointed to the Global Partnership's Steering Committee.
The new partnership will build on global development co-operation efforts, following on from last year's aid effectiveness forum in Busan, South Korea.
More on post-Busan panel
29 July 2012
In response to the situation in Syria, International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said:
"Britain has recently announced a doubling of our aid to help those affected by the fighting in Syria. This includes £3 million to support the UNHCR’s regional response plan. Thanks to this contribution, UNHCR are now delivering emergency aid to Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries including in Jordan where a new camp was opened today.
"UK aid will help to provide health and water and sanitation services for approximately 4,800 Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq, safe accommodation for 2,000 refugees plus food for 1,200."
23 July 2012
In response to media coverage about British aid to Uganda Stephen O’Brien, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development said:
"The UK Government is at the forefront of work to promote human rights around the world, and regularly lobbies Governments which violate those rights.
"We only provide aid directly to governments when we are satisfied that they share our commitments to reduce poverty; respect human rights; improve public financial management; fight corruption; and promote good governance and transparency.
"In Uganda, we have already cut direct aid to the government by 30% and redirected budget support onto specific projects aimed at improving health services and financial management, which will ensure we continue to help the poorest Ugandan families."
The Coalition Government has taken a tough stance on Budget Support, enabling it to "follow the money" and track precisely where aid is spent. Over the next four years we will reduce the amount given in General Budget Support by nearly half.
Our new approach means we only provide aid directly to governments when we are satisfied that they share our commitments to: reduce poverty; respect human rights and other international obligations; improve public financial management; fight corruption and promote good governance and transparency.
The introduction of the Public Order Management Bill - which has not been passed - prompted the Government to raise serious objections with the Government of Uganda. Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone lobbied when she was in Uganda at the end of April as did Foreign Office Minister Henry Bellingham at the end of March.
British aid in Uganda, by 2014, will for example enable:
Following a report today by War Child, including allegations that children in Syria have been deliberately murdered in execution-style killings, raped, abused, used as human shields and even enlisted against their will, International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said:
"Any form of violence directed against children in Syria is shocking and abhorrent. Britain has worked to exert international pressure to bring an end to the violence, and we will continue to work to this end.
"Earlier this month, Britain doubled its humanitarian support to people inside Syria caught up in the violence, and refugees forced to flee to neighbouring countries. We have led the way in ensuring that emergency food supplies, medical support and other life-saving aid is reaching those who need it most, including tens of thousands of families, children and young people."
17 July 2012
Following the Syria Humanitarian Forum in Geneva yesterday, Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell said:
"The confirmation that humanitarian agencies have significantly scaled up assistance in the last month is welcome news, with food aid, blankets and other vital supplies reaching hundreds of thousands of people. It is critical, however, that other countries follow Britain’s lead and provide the additional funding that is needed to help the 1.5 million people still suffering as a result of the continuing violence.
"It is clear that there are still barriers to aid getting through, including the worsening security situation and delayed visas for humanitarian workers. Blocking visa applications on the basis of nationality is unacceptable. The Syrian Government must now live up to its commitment to allow unimpeded access to humanitarian workers so that they can reach those in need."
8 July 2012
Speaking from the Tokyo Conference on Afghanistan, International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said:
"Britain has accepted a request from Afghanistan and Japan to host a ministerial meeting in 2014 to review progress against Afghan and International commitments agreed today in Tokyo.
"Britain has led the way here, with our commitment to maintain our funding at its current level through to 2017.
"The consensus reached today will give Afghans confidence in the future, with the international community pledging firm support to 2015 and agreeing to help meet the budget shortfall through to 2017 and beyond.
"For their part, the Afghan Government has committed to economic and governance reforms, including tackling corruption and promoting human rights, especially those of women."
Related stories:
The Tokyo Conference on Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Future at risk if development not prioritised
7 July 2012
The UK Government's position remains the same as the one set out in the aid review in March 2011. We have not set out any end date for our bilateral programme in India.
The aid review (March 2011) set out plans for all bilateral aid programmes until 2015. Andrew Mitchell has said about India (most recently March 2012): "We will not be there forever - we have said we are walking the last mile - but now is not the time to end the programme."
Any decision about the future of the India programme will be taken jointly with the Government of India.
1 July 2012
"The Coalition Government has cut admin costs at DFID by a third, clamped down on the travel policy for staff and stuck rigorously to the cross-government marketing freeze - while driving a radical reform of British aid spending. Our overheads are amongst the lowest of Whitehall departments."
DFID uses consultancy firms to manage some specific development programmes on the ground and to provide independent monitoring and auditing to ensure aid gets to where it is meant to.
30 June 2012
"The British Government is testing the Millennium Village approach through a project in northern Ghana. We have commissioned the first ever detailed independent evaluation of a Millennium Village to assess value for taxpayers’ money and the long-term impact on the lives of 30,000 people currently living in abject poverty."
The Coalition Government will deliver the first fully independent, robust evaluation of a Millennium Village, expressly to understand whether they work. If so, do the results last, and do the results achieve value for money so that we know British taxpayers' funds are well used. This is part of a wider objective to encourage and test innovative ideas, so that we know what really works to deliver results for poor people. DFID staff in the Ghana office are closely monitoring the project and the evaluation, including making visits to the project site.
Work has already taken place to understand current conditions so that we can make robust judgements on the impact of this project and ensure British funding is used to make the maximum impact for people living in abject poverty in northern Ghana.
The DFID contribution of £11.5m for up to 30,000 people implies a cost of under £1.50 per person per week, over 5 years.
The Millennium Villages will deliver an intensive package of interventions to improve agricultural productivity, health, education, infrastructure and enterprise development for up to 30,000 poor people.
We need to ensure we find innovative solutions to tackle this poverty. The Millennium Villages have the potential to make a major contribution to achieving the MDGs in very poor communities, if the model is shown to have lasting impact.
27 June 2012
In response to media allegations that the UK Government is not meeting its commitments on aid, Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said:
"The Coalition Government is the first government in UK history to set out clear plans, in black and white in the UK Government's Comprehensive Spending Review, to honour the UN commitment to spend 0.7% of Gross National Income on aid by 2015.
"And as this week's Annual Report from my department shows, aid from the British people is achieving extraordinary results, including vaccinating over 12 million children against preventable diseases; reaching 6 million people with emergency food assistance; distributing 12.2 million bednets to protect people against malaria; and supporting 5.3 million children to go to primary school.
"The UK is the highest aid giver of all countries in the G8 - in terms of percentage of our Gross National Income - and will be the first to hit 0.7% two years earlier than required in 2013."
23 June 2012
Responding to the death of a Syrian Arab Red Crescent volunteer worker in Syria, Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said:
"The news that Bashar al-Youssef, a 23 year old Syrian Arab Red Crescent volunteer, has been shot and killed in Syria is disgraceful. He was wearing a uniform that clearly displayed the universally recognised red crescent emblem and was in the process of delivering first aid.
"We condemn unequivocally any attack on humanitarian staff who are trying to help people in desperate need."
13 June 2012
Responding to questions around the Department's Business Plan update and the commitment to spend 0.7% of national income on aid, a DFID spokesperson said:
"The position has not changed. The Bill is ready and will be introduced when Parliamentary time allows.
"The Business Plan has been updated to reflect the final date by which the Bill can be made law within this Parliament.
"The Coalition Government is the first government in history to set out, in black and white in the Spending Review, clear plans to honour the UK's long standing promises on aid."
11 June 2012
Regarding reports on the attendance of officials at the Rio+20 summit on sustainable development next week, a DFID spokesperson said:
"It is completely untrue to say we are boycotting the conference. Secretary of State for International Development, Andrew Mitchell, is playing an integral part in the preparations, including a preparatory meeting attended by the Stakeholder Forum. High-level officials from DFID will also be supporting the Deputy Prime Minister who is leading the UK delegation in Rio."
8 June 2012
Responding to reports on loans by the World Bank to Argentina, a DFID spokesperson said:
"No British taxpayers' money is spent on World Bank loans to Argentina. The Secretary of State will consider Britain's position on any future World Bank loans when the time comes."
30 May 2012
Responding to Oxfam's report on regulation of ammunition in the arms trade, International Development Minister Alan Duncan said: "The UK Government will urge all parties to agree an international arms trade treaty that includes ammunition. There is a lack of regulation in the arms trade that leads to unchecked violence and fuels corruption. This has not only led to the death of many innocent people, but also hampers development efforts in many countries around the world. The UK will be at the forefront of negotiations at the UN, demanding a broad and enforceable treaty."
More on the arms trade
22 May 2012
DFID Nepal does not support NEFIN or any political groups that use violence or the threat of violence to enforce 'bandhs'.
DFID Nepal previously funded NEFIN under the Janajati Empowerment Programme (JEP), which was aimed at capacity building and empowerment of Janajati groups for greater economic, social and political inclusion. However, this funding ended over a year ago in May 2011, when it became apparent that NEFIN were supporting bandhs.
Our programmes in Nepal are aimed at poverty reduction, supporting the poor and most vulnerable in a wide range of sectors including health, education, water and sanitation, building roads and infrastructure, supporting job creation, disaster preparedness and improving governance.
More on our work in Nepal
17 May 2012
Development Minister Stephen O'Brien and Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne have spoken to mark International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia:
"It is sadly the case that in many countries Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people continue to suffer brutal violence and discrimination. These people are not making a political statement, or asking for special treatment, they just want to be free to be who they are and to love who they choose.
"These simple demands are not Western impositions but universal human rights we should all be able to take for granted. Yet in over 70 countries consensual same-sex relations continue to be criminalised. In some, sexual relations between consenting adults are a crime punishable by the death penalty. We strongly oppose any criminalisation of same-sex relations.
"As we celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, we make it crystal clear that we will always stand with those calling for an end to this hateful discrimination and support them in their fight against inequality and injustice. The international community must address all forms of discrimination and violence against all people, including on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, and promote respect for diversity."
Statement on Foreign and Commonwealth Office website
14 May 2012
In response to recent media reports on aid to India, Secretary of State Andrew Mitchell reaffirmed Britain's support for India's poorest people.
"These comments do not represent the views of the Government of India, who have publicly welcomed our aid.
"As I said at the time we announced the results of the Bilateral Aid Review, the Indian Government has made great progress on tackling poverty but there is a huge need in India.
"We will not be there forever - we have said we are walking the last mile - but now is not the time to end the programme.
"The UK and Indian Governments have agreed a programme which focuses on the poorest states and developing the private sector. It also recognises the Government of India's own commitment to policies which will help reduce poverty in the long term."
Since the bilateral aid review, India is no longer the UK's largest bilateral programme.
Quoted figures for Indian 'aid' generally include either trade credits (which do not qualify as Overseas Development Assistance) or programmes of mutual interest with neighbouring countries.
More on UK aid to India
Responding to media reports on sterilisations in India, a Department for International Development spokesperson said:
"British aid has not been used for forced sterilisation now, or in the past. This funding, which was closely monitored, was used to help women access a mix of reversible methods of family planning and to improve the quality of services through the Reproductive and Child Health programme. The Coalition Government has completely refocused aid spending in India and Britain no longer contributes financially to this programme."
Forced sterilisation is illegal in India. The Government of India has strict guidelines for quality of family planning services, which include ensuring consent. It takes action when any evidence of coercion is uncovered. There are no longer family planning targets.
9 May 2012
Following the Queen's speech today highlighting the Coalition Government’s firm plans to spend 0.7% of GNI as official development assistance from 2013, a Department for International Development spokesperson said:
"The commitment to legislate was set out in the Coalition programme for government. The Bill is ready and will be introduced when parliamentary time allows."
"The Coalition Government is the first government in history to set out, in black and white in the spending review, clear plans to honour our aid pledge from 2013. This historic move was reconfirmed in the Autumn Statement and most recently in the March Budget.
"Spending less than 1% of our national income on aid - an internationally agreed target - will create a safer and more prosperous world for the UK.
"Tackling poverty in the world's poorest places can mean tackling the root causes of global problems such as disease, drugs, migration, terrorism, and climate change, which matter to us here in Britain."
30 April 2012
International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell today said:
“Humanitarian workers around the world are doing an incredible job of getting help to those who need it most, providing often life-saving aid in surroundings that can be difficult and dangerous. The killing of Khalil Dale is appalling. We condemn utterly any attack or threat against aid workers who are trying to help others.”
"British aid to the DRC is helping to pull people out of poverty - providing clean water and sanitation for 3.7 million people, helping to tackle malaria, building and improving roads and getting hundreds of thousands of children into school.
"Britain is also supporting projects to stop the illegal exploitation of minerals and tackle public financial mismanagement. The DRC's mineral resources are key to its long term prosperity and the British Government is adamant that its mining industries must be run transparently for the benefit of its people, as I made very clear to the President myself in Kinshasa last month."
27 April 2012
Responding to the International Development Select Committee's report on EU aid, International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said:
"We absolutely agree with the Committee that the EU must refocus its aid on the poorest countries and cut out waste and inefficiency.
"Following relentless pressure from the Coalition Government, the EU is already reforming the way it spends aid, making it more transparent, results-focused and targeted at the poorest people.
"Supporting Turkish accession to the EU has been the policy of successive British governments and is firmly in the national interest."
Britain is working tirelessly to reform the EU system and hold it to account on behalf of UK taxpayers. Ministers are insistent that EU aid should reach the world-leading quality of UK aid.
We have already made real progress. As a result of UK pressure, the EU is reviewing its entire approach to aid: cutting funding to countries that don't need it - such as relatively rich nations in Latin America; refocusing its aid on results; and ensuring much greater transparency, value for money and accountability.
25 April 2012
Responding to the death of a Syrian Arab Red Crescent volunteer worker in Syria, International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said:
"The news that Mohammed al-Khadraa, a Syrian Arab Red Crescent volunteer, has been killed and three others injured in Syria is disgraceful. His vehicle was clearly marked with the universally recognised red crescent emblem.
Responding to the Independent Commission for Aid Impact's review of the UK's support for elections through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said:
"I am pleased that the Commission has praised Britain and the UN for helping millions to exercise their democratic rights, reduce the threat of violent conflict and build more open and tolerant societies.
"Following our own multilateral aid review last year, we are already working closely with the UNDP to ensure their projects are well planned and deliver consistent value for money, especially in fragile and conflict-ridden states.
"I fully support the Commission’s findings and will continue to work with the UN to implement them."
More on the report
22 April 2012
Responding to questions about Britain’s commitment to spend 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) on overseas aid, a DFID spokesperson said: "The Coalition Government is the first government in history to set out, in black and white in the Spending Review, clear plans to honour the lifesaving aid pledge from 2013. This historic move was reconfirmed last month in the Budget."The commitment to legislate was set out in the Coalition Programme for Government. The Bill is ready and is with the Business Managers. We will legislate when Parliamentary time allows."
The Coalition Government has previously confirmed that the UK will spend 0.7% of Gross National Income on international development from 2013.
Spending less than one per cent of our national income on aid - an internationally agreed target - will create a safer and more prosperous world for the UK. And it will get 11 million children into school, vaccinate 55 million children against preventable diseases and stop 250,000 new-born babies dying needlessly.
17 April 2012
Speaking at the Willis Re event "Building International Disaster Resilience to Extreme Weather - How Public & Private Sectors are Gearing Up" Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said:
"The Coalition Government is committed to working with the private sector to drive innovation and make our development support go further.
"It is essential we build resilience to the more frequent and intense extremes in weather resulting from climate change. The world's poorest people will be hit first and hardest by the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters and this cannot be addressed by public finance alone.
"Opportunities, such as drought resistant crops and expanding insurance products, show there is commercial potential for those with entrepreneurial flair and vision."
International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell met with business and insurance leaders at Willis Re's offices in the City of London to discuss how to develop products and services that help prepare and plan for climate-related disasters.
He will call on private business to invest in developing profitable technology and products to help tackle the inevitable impacts of climate change. For example, drought-resistant maize is already reducing the risk of crop failure and helping to feed 300 million people, but further investment is needed to develop new crops.
Extending insurance services to millions of farmers and small businesses who are at increasing risk of extreme weather could help millions of the poorest to plan for the worst, but more investment is required.
Later this week, Andrew Mitchell will bring together a group of world leaders at the World Bank to ensure there is much more focus on, and investment in, making the world become more resilient to future shocks, to cope with the predicted increase in extreme events.
16 April 2012
Welcoming the appointment of the new president of the World Bank, Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell said:
"I warmly congratulate Jim Yong Kim on his appointment and I look forward to working closely with the new president in the coming months. He has demonstrated his commitment to tackling poverty and his readiness to drive change. His track record on health shows he is focussed on achieving results.
"As the first development professional to head the World Bank, Jim Kim's considerable experience will be vital as he leads it through its ambitious reform and modernisation programme.
"I also welcome the contribution made by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Jose Antonio Ocampo to making such a strong field in the first ever competitive selection of a World Bank President.
"Finally, I would like to thank President Zoellick for the exemplary leadership he has provided in such challenging times."
Responding to a BBC Newsnight report alleging the mis-use of funds by Nigerian firms linked to James Ibori a DFID spokesperson said:
"These specific allegations date back to 2009 under the last Labour Government, were investigated by CDC at the time and subsequently passed on to the Met Police and the Serious Fraud Office.
"CDC always carries out full and thorough checks before investing in a fund manager and the subsequent investigation gives no indication whatsoever that British funding has been misused in this case."
Britain has strict safeguards in place to guard against corruption and takes tough action against those who seek to steal money from developing countries and to launder it in the UK, as demonstrated by the Ibori case.
DFID supports agencies that are taking on these criminals, including the Met Police's anti-corruption team and Nigeria's own Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
11 April 2012
Responding to reports of an earthquake striking off Indonesia's coast and subsequent tsunami warnings, a DFID spokesperson said:
"We are aware of reports of an earthquake off the coast of Indonesia. We are monitoring the situation closely, and are in touch with international partners on the ground."
5 April 2012
Development Minister Stephen O’Brien writes in response to a City AM article about aid and corruption, explaining the UK’s stance on the issue
"Our message is clear: those who undermine progress in the world’s poorest countries, put British taxpayers’ money at risk, or treat the UK as a safe haven for stolen assets, will be brought to justice.
"The DFID-funded Metropolitan Police investigation into former Nigerian governor James Ibori, who pleaded guilty to embezzlement of Nigerian public funds that should have been spent providing services to Nigerians, shows that our tough approach is working.
"This government has overhauled Britain's aid programme to focus on getting results for the world's poorest people."
Read the full response
4 April 2012
Responding to the OECD's report on Official Development Assistance in 2011, International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said:
"The UK's aid budget is less than one per cent of the UK's income but makes a big difference in creating a safer, more prosperous world for us all. That is why this Government is sticking to our promise to help the poorest people in the world.
"Other rich nations must join the UK and put clear timetables in place to set out how they are going to meet this internationally agreed target. If we all fulfil this pledge then we will improve the health, education and future chances of millions, helping the poorest to pull themselves out of poverty forever."
29 March 2012
Responding to the report released today by the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee, Secretary of State Andrew Mitchell said:
"We welcome the Committee's ringing endorsement of the tough reforms the Coalition Government has made to get maximum value for money from British aid.
"The British Government makes no apologies for sticking to its commitments to the world's poorest people.
"Spending less than one per cent of our national income on aid - an internationally agreed target - will create a safer and more prosperous world for the UK. And it will get 11 million children into school, vaccinate 55 million children against preventable diseases and stop 250,000 newborn babies dying needlessly. Going back on this promise would cost lives."
23 March 2012
On tonight's Sport Relief programme, it was announced that the UK Government will match £10 million of public donations to Sport Relief.
This will help improve the lives of at least one million of the poorest people living in African slums.
International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said:
"Once again, the British public has shown both its generosity in tough economic times and its overwhelming support for Sport Relief’s life-changing work. It’s clear just how highly the public rates Sport Relief’s vital work in transforming lives at home and abroad. We’re looking to reflect that spirit by matching pound for pound £10 million of the money donated to help the charity double its efforts in African slums."
More on Sport Relief
Responding to an article by Glenys Kinnock on the Guardian's Global Development site, a DFID spokesperson said:
"DFID's water programmes are reaching the people who need them most, in the countries with the greatest need such as Sierra Leone, Ethiopia and Sudan. Last year three quarters of our bilateral aid was spent on basic systems most likely to reach the poorest and this is a higher proportion than almost any other donor.
"While achieving the Millennium Development Goal for water is very good news, clearly we all have to do much more. DFID's spend on water projects has increased from to $114 million in 2009 to $157 million in 2010, and DFID has committed to giving an additional 15 million people access to clean water and 25 million people access to sanitation by 2015."
In response to the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) report on the Girl Hub, Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said:
“Giving girls in the poorest countries a better chance in life is a priority for this Government and the Girl Hub is an exciting and innovative project that is already having an impact in helping us to achieve this, as ICAI’s report acknowledges.
“The initial phase has seen the Girl Hub grow and develop quickly, and we have learnt from this and have already ensured that stronger planning, budgeting and evaluation controls have been put in place.
“We are keen to retain and develop our ability to work with the private sector in new and creative ways.
“We will look carefully at ICAI’s report and consider how it can strengthen our work with the Girl Hub.”
22 March 2012
Commenting on the success of meeting the MDG target on clean water this World Water Day, Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said: "It is very good news that more and more people have been helped to access clean drinking water. The Millennium Development Goal has started the ball rolling but we need to do much more: there are nearly 800 million people who do not have access to clean water and 2.5 billion people who do not have access to decent sanitation. By helping these people we could prevent around 2.4 million deaths every year. "This is why I have committed to giving an additional 15 million people access to clean water and 25 million people access to sanitation by 2015. DFID will also help some of the world’s poorest countries better manage their water, reducing the risks of floods, droughts and conflict over water resources."
More on World Water Day
Responding to today's report on Afghanistan, released by the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI), Secretary of State Andrew Mitchell said:
"UK support in Afghanistan is playing a key role in improving the lives of people who remain amongst the poorest in the world, helping to get children into school and improving healthcare, as ICAI’s report recognises.
"We are pleased that ICAI could find no evidence of leakage of DFID funds, alongside their endorsement of our strong monitoring, evaluation and results systems.
"We accept that in such a challenging environment there are always things we can do better. The report itself acknowledges that we are already implementing many of its recommendations, including further increasing financial scrutiny and boosting our in-country team with more financial and procurement skills. We will continue to prioritise this work."
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