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UK Aid Budget - Support is Needed
Last year the aid budget was cut by 5.4 percent.... £124 Million. The UN recommended level which Britain has pledged to achieve, is 0.7%. In the November budget, the British Government cut overseas aid by £180 Million. CAFOD is now putting pressure on all political parties in the run-up to the next General Election. If you haven't already done so, please write to your prospective parliamentary candidates asking them to pledge their support for the UN target of 0.7% of GNP. Britain's overseas aid budget now stands at just 0.265 percent of GNP. CAFOD also recommends that aid is focussed more directly on the poor rather than on large capital spending that relies on a 'trickle-down' effect.
It is vital to let the Government know that people DO care about aid. One of the best ways to do that is through your MP.
"It really does make a difference to the actions MPs take if constituents write to them in their own words about an issue," says MP John Battle.
"If we know our constituents really care about overseas aid then we can lobby much more strongly in favour of it."
Or phone on 0171 219 3000.
or Fax him on 0171 270 5653.
Plans for this year's election are already being made so don't hesitate, act today.
Given the poor press often given to aid, it may be useful to remember that:
