Aid saves lives
UK aid is an amazing success story – it's transforming the lives of millions of the world's poorest children. Even though times are tough, Britain is maintaining its commitment to help these children. Together we need to make sure that the UK continues to provide aid that saves lives and offers hope for millions.
UK aid: an amazing success story
Our country has helped save the lives of millions of children and put millions more through school. In 2012 UK aid:
- prevented 2.7 million mothers and children from going hungry
- vaccinated 12 million children against killer diseases
- supported more than 5 million children to go to school, by building classrooms, training teachers and providing cash grants to poor families.
Part of Britain's DNA
Helping people less fortunate than we are is part of our DNA. We should be proud that our aid has achieved so much good around the world.
And the public continue to show their support for government overseas aid, which has held firm even during the recession. In a recent opinion poll 61% of people said they agreed with the government’s plan to meet its spending commitments on overseas aid in 2013.
Making sure money gets to the right people
Of course, it’s vital that UK life-saving aid really does reach those people it’s meant to help – rather than lining the pockets of politicians.
And we can be proud that Britain is recognised as a world leader in delivering aid effectively and transparently.
In countries with poor governance records, UK aid bypasses those in power. Instead it’s channelled through agencies and organisations, like Save the Children, working directly with poor communities.
Times are tough but we’re keeping our promise to children
Even though times are tough, Britain is maintaining its commitment to help the world’s poorest children. We can afford it. Just over a penny of every pound our government spends goes on aid. And with that, all of us are helping transform the lives of millions of the world’s poorest children.
- For the price of just a cup of coffee a child can be vaccinated against five diseases that would otherwise kill them, preventing 2.5 million child deaths every year
- In the five years up to 2015, UK aid will prevent 10 million children from going hungry and help vaccinate 80 million children against killer diseases
- And over the same period UK aid will stop 250,000 newborn babies dying and support 11 million children to go to school.
Britain can help millions more children around the world if it delivers enough life-saving aid to stop children dying and help the poorest families feed themselves.
It's vital we keep our promise on live-saving aid
The government has promised to meet its commitment to spend 0.7% of national income on aid - amounting to just 1.6p of every pound spent by the government last year. To their credit, all three main political parties made a pre-election promise to honour that promise. In 2013 the the UK will reach the historic 0.7% aid target.
The government has also promised to enshrine the 0.7% figure in law. This will make aid more effective, helping poorer countries plan for their long-term development, so that they can stand on their own two feet rather than relying on overseas aid.
That’s why we’re calling on the government
- to meet its commitment to spend 0.7% of national income on aid next year
- enshrine the 0.7% commitment in law.