Justine Greening must ensure aid promotes equity, not business

Date: 4 September 2012

Deborah Doane, director of anti-poverty group the World Development Movement, has commented on Justine Greening’s appointment as international development secretary:  

“On Andrew Mitchell’s watch, UK aid policy took an alarming turn towards promoting the interests of business over the needs of the world’s poorest people. His admission last year that Britain’s foreign aid programme to India was partly designed to sell Typhoon fighter jets clearly showed this shift.

“Justine Greening’s previous support for tough climate change laws suggest a stronger commitment to justice than her predecessor. Her challenge will be to reverse the direction taken by Andrew Mitchell, and to ensure that aid is truly a contribution to global equity, not a business opportunity.”