Cameron announces new approach to international aid

David Cameron set out plans for a results-based approach to aid at the launch of ‘One World Conservatism’, our International Development green paper.

He warned that an enormous amount of aid given today is misplaced or “lost to corruption” – and stressed that the current system is “far too opaque”.

He said it would not be in Britain's interest to scale back our commitment to aid spending, but stressed it is up to the Government to ensure that we get more for that money:

“It’s time to bring international development into the post-bureaucratic age: transparency over what is spent, where; accountability so people know we’re paying for real results.”

David explained that this means “shining a light on our aid spending” by putting it all online, as well as pioneering results-based aid, where money is paid for results rather than vague promises.

“The truth is it’s not the numbers on the aid cheque that count, but the number of people that it helps the number of grandparents whose sight is restored, the number of fathers who can feed their families, the number of children whose lives are saved.”

David also set out proposals to allow the British public to have their say on where a chunk of the aid budget goes, and promised a much greater focus on helping poor people to help themselves, with loans for businesses and support for enterprise and trade.

He stressed, "This is the progressive Conservative approach to international development. Hard-headed – but not hard-hearted. Realistic – but optimistic. The rewards of following these ambitions will be great: a better life for millions of people and a safer, more prosperous world for Britain.”