Key facts
- Labour MPs are advocating for Andy Burnham to reinstate the UK's commitment to spending 0.7% of national income on overseas aid.
- A 10-year trajectory is proposed to gradually return to the 0.7% aid spending target.
- Proposals include using the UK's G20 presidency in 2027 to discuss a global wealth tax.
- Suggestions are made to use G20 and G7 presidencies to initiate discussions on post-2030 UN sustainable development goals.
- A specific proposal suggests pooling $1 billion for a multi-year initiative to immunize one billion children in fragile states.
Influential Labour MPs are urging Andy Burnham to prioritize restoring the UK's commitment to spending 0.7% of national income on overseas aid, a target originally legislated for under Gordon Brown. The proposals, emerging from a collection of essays by the New Economics Foundation (NEF), suggest a 10-year trajectory to meet this goal, emphasizing long-term planning over mechanical annual targets.
Fleur Anderson, an MP with a background in international development, argues that while strengthening national defense is important, retreating from development commitments is a false economy that will not make the world safer. She contends that engaging in development tackles the root causes of instability.
Meanwhile, Liam Byrne, chair of the Commons business and trade committee, proposes that the UK leverage its 2027 G20 presidency to convene discussions on a global wealth tax. He suggests the UK could play a key role in designing a functional wealth tax that aids domestic resource mobilization in various countries.
Another former Labour minister, Gareth Thomas, suggests using the UK's upcoming G20 and G7 presidencies to initiate discussions on what will succeed the UN's sustainable development goals, which expire in 2030. He advocates for demonstrating the power of cooperation through tangible goals, citing the success of Gavi, the vaccines alliance, and proposing a $1 billion initiative to immunize a billion children in fragile states.
Danny Sriskandarajah, CEO of NEF, noted that while much foreign policy has been defensive, there's an opportunity for the UK to demonstrate global leadership on progressive issues with concrete proposals on development and multilateral institutions.