North Ayrshire and Arran MP Katy Clark has welcomed the new Department for International Development White paper announced to help fight poverty in countries affected by conflict.

The DFID White Paper commits the UK Government to meeting the UN goal of 0.7% in aid spending and on achieving the UN’s Millennium Development Goals on poverty, hunger, disease, maternal health, and schools. The White paper also prioritises helping third world countries tackle climate change, providing economic opportunities for 7.5 million people in states affected by conflict and boosting democratic politics including peaceful and fair elections.

Katy said, “ At a time when 1.4 billion people around the world live poverty and many more face the threat due the economic downturn it is important that extra aid is made available. Whilst some are suggesting that we should be cutting our aid budget we need to increase investment in social justice both at home and abroad.”