Preet Gill – 2020 Comments on International Development and the UK

The comments made by Preet Gill, the Shadow International Development Secretary, on 2 September 2020.

Since the Department for International Development’s formation in 1997, it has delivered life-saving and life-changing support including vaccinating millions of children against polio and other deadly diseases and ensuring millions have had access to a good education.

The British people are rightly proud of the impact UK aid and development has had in supporting the world’s poorest and most vulnerable.

However, under this Government, the future of the UK’s commitment to lead on international development is uncertain.

With the launch of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office today, the Government must show that it is committed to the principles DfID was founded on to consolidate the hard-won soft power and reputation built up since its inception. Now is the time to step up and show genuine global leadership to make the world safer, fairer and better.