DFID Announces a Rise in Spending.

Clare Short announcing Britain's overseas development agency (DFID) expected increase in their budget.

Official overseas spending between 1979 and 1997 had decreased from 0.51% to 0.26% of GNP. Under the new Labour government overseas spending will rise from £2.32 billion for 1998/9 to £3.21 billion for 2001/2. The increase will see development assistance rise from 0.26% of GNP in 1997 to 0.30% of GNP by 2001. Although this rise will mean that Britain's overseas spending approaches the EU average of 0.37% it still falls short of the agreed UN target of 0.7% of GNP.

For further information contact: howard-taylor@dfid.gtnet.gov.uk