Progressio welcomes new ministers for international development

Christine Allen

Progressio today welcomes the new UK coalition government's international development team, led by Secretary of State Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP and Minister of State Alan Duncan MP, at a moment when delivering on the UK's vital commitments to the world's poorest people has never been more necessary.

Tim Aldred, Progressio's Advocacy Manager said: "We are delighted that the new coalition government has reiterated its intention to spend 0.7% of national income to help tackle the very serious issues of global poverty and marginalisation.

"At this time of global economic crisis, the poorest have been suffering most of all. We are encouraged that the new government is holding firm on its promise to the world's poor, looking beyond UK borders to support the hundreds of millions of people who, in countries like Malawi and Haiti, still struggle to feed their families and send their children to school.

"With funding tight, it is also vital that we ensure that aid is well spent and really makes a difference. As part of our work, Progressio helps poor communities around the world to hold their national and local governments to account for the way they spend their budgets. Empowering these communities helps ensure that aid is properly used to deliver what poor people really need."

The new ministerial team at the Department for International Development (DFID), arrives at a key moment. This September, a high-level summit will convene to chart progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These pledges by the international community, agreed at the Gleneagles G8 summit in 2005, aim to halve extreme poverty by 2015 - which is also the expected lifetime of this coalition government.

Progressio's Executive Director, Christine Allen, said: "The new government will carry a heavy responsibility during this crucial 'crunch' period for the world's poor as we head towards 2015 - and millions around the world will look to the UK for leadership and support in this vital 5-year phase.

"Progressio looks forward to working with the new DFID team in a spirit of cooperation and partnership to deliver a better deal for the world's poor."