§ John BarrettTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will produce a timetable for raising UK official development assistance to the UN target of 0.7 per cent. of GNP. [68818]
§ John HealeyThe Government remain fully committed to the UN 0.7 per cent. oda/GNI target. The Chancellor announced in the Spending Review that UK official development assistance as a proportion of Gross National Income will rise to 0.40 per cent. in 2005–06, from a level of 0.33 per cent. in 2003–04 and 0.26 per cent. in 1997, taking the ratio to its highest level since 1981. As a result, the UK will exceed the average EU target for oda/GNI of 0.39 per cent. by 2005–06 and be more than double the current G7 country oda/GNI average of 0.18 per cent. and current OECD ratio of 0.22 per cent.
The UK will continue to use international meetings, such as G7/8 meetings, and bilateral meetings to encourage other partners to follow our lead.