Press Release

24 March 2005

UK on target for international aid pledge.

International Development Secretary Hilary Benn today announced that the UK’s overseas aid funds are on course to meet the international target of 0.7 per cent of a country’s gross national income by 2013. 

Provisional figures published today show that the UK is estimated to have spent £4,276 million on official development assistance (oda) in 2004, which is 11 per cent higher in cash terms than the 2003 figure of £3,847 million. As a proportion of Gross National Income for 2004 of £1183 billion, this gives an oda/GNI ratio of 0.36 per cent for 2004, meaning that the UK Government’s target for 2004 of 0.35 per cent has been exceeded.

Mr Benn said: 

‘I am delighted that the UK is on target to meet its pledge of spending 0.7 per cent of our gross national income on development by 2013. By reaching 0.36 per cent now, we are already ahead of the target of 0.35 per cent for this year. 

‘It is important that the UK and other donor countries continue to increase our aid budgets, to help us to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. 

Read the full press release (25 kb)

Links

• Statistical release - Provisional UK oda/GNI ratio 2004 (85 kb)
• Millennium Development Goals

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