Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what her policy is on the Government's long-term commitment to spending 0.7 per cent of gross national income on overseas development assistance.

Meeting the 0.7 per cent target for overseas aid is a manifesto commitment. It is enshrined in law and the Government has been unequivocal that we will continue to honour that promise, including reaffirmation by the Prime Minister on 14 December. Alongside our world-class diplomacy commitments and spending two per cent of our GDP on defence, upholding our manifesto commitments on UK aid is vital to securing Britain’s place in the world, helping those less fortunate than ourselves, and exporting economic prosperity, security and stability in the national interest.