http://blogs.unicef.org.uk/authentic_voices/archive/2012/05/16/panel-debate-highlights-broad-political-support-for-aid.aspx
The Coalition Government's decision to ring-fence and increase the aid budget to meet the long-standing UN target of 0.7 per cent of national income on aid by 2013 and to enshrine this spending commitment in law has provoked fierce debate on all sides of the political spectrum. The issue was brought to the forefront again last week when the Coalition missed an opportunity afforded by the Queen's Speech to enshrine its promise of 0.7% into legislation.
To mark the launch of a new report commissioned from the Overseas Development Institute co-authored by Save the children and UNICEF, on 15 May both organisations joined forces to host a panel debate on the Coalition's aid policies."Panellists"included UNICEF UK's President Lord Paddy Ashdown, Shadow International Development Spokesperson Baroness Glenys Kinnock, Editor of ConservativeHome Tim Montgomerie, and Conservative MP Philip Davies.
Aid sceptic Philip Davies MP kicked off the debate, arguing that while he supports humanitarian aid, aid doesn't always work and risks developing a culture of international welfare dependency. Philip was also critical of giving aid to countries such as India which, he argued, should spend their own money sorting out their own problems. Philip concluded that enshrining the 0.7 target in law is "the ultimate in gesture politics".
Despite their different political perspectives, the rest of the panellists were unanimous in their support for aid. Lord Ashdown emphasised the immense influence and respect that meeting our aid commitments and being a leader in international development gives us in international affairs. He then made the moral case for giving aid, arguing that the UK is a great country "and one of the reasons we're a great country is because of our humanity." Lord Ashdown concluded by emphasising that meeting our aid commitments is in the UK's long-term self-interest because it has been shown to improve global stability and security.
Baroness Kinnock echoed the argument for morality, and supported the UK meeting its aid promises. However, she strongly criticised the Government for failing to deliver on its commitment to introduce legislation on 0.7 and noting the missed opportunity of the recent Queen's Speech. Baroness Kinnock argued that enshrining the 0.7 target into law will help to improve aid predictability and protect aid spending in the future.
Tim Montgomerie argued that whilst aid often appears to be unpopular in opinion polls, responses vary widely depending on the way questions are phrased. He highlighted a recent poll of Conservative activists which found that 68 percent supported the statement: "We should cut aid spending and put the money into the defence budget". But in response to the statement "Aid can stop failing states from becoming rogue states" 47 percent of conservative activists agreed. Furthermore, in response to the question "Should we give £2.22 to protect 10 children from polio", 79 percent agreed.
From the audience, Baroness Jenkin highlighted a recent survey in which respondents believed that Britain spends 17 percent of its GDP on international aid. Given that the proportion of national income actually spent on aid is currently only around 0.56%, this highlights a significant lack of understanding and knowledge about the reality of the UK's aid spending. Interestingly, Baroness Jenkin also said that respondents to the survey thought the figure ought to be around 7 percent.
The debate was encouraging in highlighting the breadth and depth of cross-party political support for aid and development. However, what is clear is that a significant number of people still don't understand what international aid is, how much is given, where it goes, and what it can achieve, and this lack of understanding contributes to negative and damaging misconceptions about aid. This challenge of perception is something which the UK Government and aid advocates and supporters must work together to overcome.
" ng="EN">Rosie Stainton is a Policy and Research Officer at UNICEF UK.