Bond statement in response to Secretary of State for International Development vision for aid and development

Speaking at the Wellcome Collection this morning the Secretary of State for International Development, Penny Mordaunt MP set out her vision for international development and aid.

Tamsyn Barton Chief Executive of Bond, the UK’s network of International Development NGOs, said:

‘Bond welcomes the Secretary of State for International Development, Penny Mordaunt MP putting solidarity with the world’s poorest at the heart of British values, as well commitment from the UK to play its part in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It will be vital that the whole of UK government shares the objectives of preventing suffering and building global prosperity for all, leaving no one behind. It is also reassuring to hear a commitment to avoid tied aid.

However, it would be concerning if today’s proposal distorts the primary objective of aid and development policy and instead promotes the UK’s own commercial and security goals. Evidence clearly shows that if aid and development are used to serve the UK’s national interests it will be less effective and poorer value for money. UK values are better reflected by keeping those we seek to help at the heart of what we do.

Time is against us to get every child into education, access to healthcare for every person with a disability, treatment for every person suffering from Polio, and support for every person who strives to escape poverty and insecurity’

ENDS

Notes to Editor

International Development Secretary on UK aid – The Mission for Global Britain speech
Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 450 civil society organisations and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.
For further information please contact Maryam Mohsin, [email protected] or 07555 336029