CAF COMMENT: PENNY MORDAUNT MP'S SPEECH ON UK AID POST-BREXIT
9 October 2018
Earlier today the International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt MP gave a wide-ranging speech on UK aid post-Brexit, which included plans to privatise some of the £14 billion foreign aid budget and put businesses front and centre in achieving global development goals.
Reacting to the speech, Rhodri Davies, Head of Policy at CAF comments:
“The Secretary of State rightly recognises the important role that the private sector can play in creating sustainable infrastructure, and the opportunities to harness institutional investment such as pension funds to help build more resilient societies around the world. It is important, however, that we don’t pursue these goals at the expense of ensuring that the UK continues to deliver the necessary levels of aid, focused first and foremost on supporting the most vulnerable people in society.
“The recognition that the UK is one of the most generous countries in the world is timely as we look to promote the UK as an outward-facing global player post-Brexit. We believe that building a global culture of giving and generosity could support the development of domestic civil society around the world, underpinning democracy and creating self-sufficient communities. As UK aid looks to promote our values, the Government is right to highlight our thriving charity sector as key to achieving the sustainable development goals.”