Labour and Lib Dems commit to transparent aid
The ONE Campaign asked Gordon Brown, Nick Clegg and David Cameron and their respective parties to speak on the record about their stance on aid spending. Both Labour and the Lib Dems state their commitment to aid transparency in their answers to the question: ‘UK development assistance is well respected, but are there ways in which you would increase its effectiveness?’
Gordon Brown:
‘We welcome the fact that the DATA Report 2009 identified the UK as a leader in the G7 on aid effectiveness.
Labour will continue to lead efforts to ensure better global aid effectiveness and coordination by remaining fully committed to implementing the Paris Declaration and the Accra Agenda for Action, and in our leadership of the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI). DFID has already met 7 of the 10 Paris Declaration targets for aid effectiveness, and is on track to meet the remaining 3 by 2010.
We have recently published an action plan outlining what further steps DFID should take to meet its aid effectiveness commitments. Our priorities include improved predictability and transparency of UK aid and promoting the establishment of mutual accountability mechanisms in-country.’
Nick Clegg:
‘We will ensure a high level of transparency in decision-making, both for bilateral and multi-lateral aid and oppose any form of tied aid for procurement. We support strategies to increase donor coordination and division of labour, and the use of country systems with enhanced ownership for recipient countries. Where possible we would channel assistance through partner country mechanisms, including support to the development of local democratic institutions, civil society groups and the media.’
To see all of the responses, click here.