0.7% aid target receives royal assent

Today the historic International Development Bill receives Royal Assent. The Bill has already been agreed in the House of Parliament and Lords, but today’s Royal Assent means that the Bill is now officially an Act of Parliament – a law.

The new law is known as the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Act. The UK Government is now committed to spending 0.7% of the country’s Gross National Income on International Development.

VSO volunteers were in Parliament today to celebrate the occasion alongside other representatives from the Turn Up Save Lives Coalition and MPs from across the major parties. There were speeches from Michael Moore MP, Anas Sarwar MP and Baroness Ann Jenkin. The volunteers had the opportunity to share their positive stories of aid with a number of parliamentarians.

Shadman Chowdhury, a former volunteer with VSO’s ICS scheme for young volunteers attended the event at Parliament. He said:

“We talked to MPs who had all voted for the 0.7 Bill. They were interested in hearing about VSO and the impact that volunteers across the world can have.  This Bill is so significant as it means that the Government are committed to continuing the fight against inequality and poverty.”


Editor's note

For more information, contact VSO Press Office via charlie.ensor@vso.org.uk

Latest posts

Two people using tablet

Using play to inspire learning in Rwanda

Learn how volunteers like Celestin are supporting children in Rwanda to learn through play. Children are taught problem solving, strategic thinking and inter-personal skills, all while enjoying the learning process.

Mung bean farmer

Three ways we’re supporting local, eco-friendly business practices in Cambodia

On the Tonle Sap Lake, climate change, overfishing, deforestation, and the depositing of untreated industrial and domestic sewage, are all threatening the natural balance of the region. VSO has supported local people to adapt to this environment by developing green business practices.

Group of girls learning outdoors

The two volunteers empowering girls and young women in Mozambique

Nelma and Carmirene and are two volunteers working on VSO's EAGLE project in Mozambique. For Nelma and Carmirene, education is not just about school, it is about meeting people where they are and using the right tools to challenging harmful norms. Here are their stories.