DFID Announces a Rise in Spending. 

Clare Short announcing the rise in spendigClare 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

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