This week is really, really important for the UK, and the world. Why?
Well, we may have a bit of a rubbish football team, and never really seem to do well in the tennis. We’re not really that good at rugby, and as for Eurovision- well that’s a write off from the very start. Yes, it seems we do have many failings as a nation. But don’t despair because believe it or not, the UK is actually one of the best countries in the world for saving lives.
History was made this year as the United Kingdom became the first G8 country to allocate 0.7% of its Gross National Income to international aid and development. Now I know that doesn’t sound like much, but believe it or not, this is the BEST we’ve ever done to help some of the world’s poorest people. That money achieved all sorts of things; from building schools, to vaccinating disadvantaged kids against polio. Fantastic achievements. But because there isn’t currently a law to protect the size of the aid budget, the UK could turn its back on these people at any time.

What's going on right now

Earlier this year an MP named Michael Moore brought forward a bill in Parliament that would enshrine into law that the UK aid budget is maintained at its current level. It would mean that international aid would no longer be used as a political football getting kicked from newspaper to newspaper, party to party, and it would mean that the UK Government can start to focus on the quality of international aid rather than the quantity. Stability in the budget will also enable better quality planning, which will further boost effectiveness. More bang for the same slice of bucks.
This bill has done well so far, and it’s about to go to the third and final reading THIS FRIDAY the 5th December in the House of Commons. Like last time, we need at least 100 MPs to turn up and vote in its favour. In the next few days, we’ll show you how you can play your part in getting this to happen. If the bill passes, then it will be well on it’s way to becoming law. That would entrench the UK as a world leader at saving lives, something we can all be proud of.
If we want this legislation, then we need our MPs to attend Parliament and vote for it. TAKE ACTION now, using our exciting new Email Your MP function, and tell your local member what you want. We've already written an email for you to send, just click on the template button (but don't forget to add their name to it otherwise it'll just be a bit awkward). Please also click here to tweet three MPs who haven't decided whether they're going to stay for the vote!
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Paul Abernethy

Editorial

Defeat Poverty

The 0.7% aid Bill, and why it can change everything

By Paul Abernethy