‘Sweat the asset’: new development minister plots path to make UK aid count
Kirsty McNeill reaffirms Labour’s 0.7% of GDP pledge and promises value for money to allay voter concerns The development minister, Kirsty McNeill, has declared herself “a huge believer in aid”, as she reaffirmed Labour’s manifesto pledge to return to a target of 0.7% of national income spending. McNeill, a former adviser to Gordon Brown and senior executive at Save the Children, declined to give…
Kirsty McNeill, Labour's new development minister, has reaffirmed the party's commitment to returning to a target of 0.7% of GDP for aid spending. McNeill, a former adviser to Gordon Brown and senior executive at Save the Children, emphasized her belief in the value of aid and its impact. The minister acknowledged that fiscal circumstances would determine when the UK would meet the target, but stressed that Labour remains committed to its manifesto pledge.
McNeill outlined her plans to build "agile partnerships" to tackle development challenges and promised to make up to £15 million available for preventive actions in countries vulnerable to El Niño. She highlighted the importance of health, climate, food, human, and economic security in her approach and stressed the need for the UK to actively participate in international bodies to maximize aid's potential.
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