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Majority of UK believes overseas aid should rise, survey says Majority of UK believes overseas aid should rise, survey says
(6 months later)
More than two-thirds of people in the UK believe that aid to developing countries should increase, with nearly as many agreeing that overseas aid is an effective way to tackle irregular migration from poorer nations, according to a Europe-wide survey.More than two-thirds of people in the UK believe that aid to developing countries should increase, with nearly as many agreeing that overseas aid is an effective way to tackle irregular migration from poorer nations, according to a Europe-wide survey.
The study, which was carried out by the EU’s polling organisation, Eurobarometer, found that 55% of those surveyed in the UK believe the EU should keep its promise to raise aid to developing countries, while 14% think it should increase beyond existing commitments.The study, which was carried out by the EU’s polling organisation, Eurobarometer, found that 55% of those surveyed in the UK believe the EU should keep its promise to raise aid to developing countries, while 14% think it should increase beyond existing commitments.
Sixty-four percent of those polled agreed that “aid for developing countries is an effective way to tackle irregular migration” – compared with the EU average of 73% – and 52% said tackling poverty in developing countries should be one of the government’s priorities. The proportion, which was up by three percentage points from last year, compares with 50% across member states.Sixty-four percent of those polled agreed that “aid for developing countries is an effective way to tackle irregular migration” – compared with the EU average of 73% – and 52% said tackling poverty in developing countries should be one of the government’s priorities. The proportion, which was up by three percentage points from last year, compares with 50% across member states.
Related: Sustainable development goals: changing the world in 17 steps – interactive
Forty-four percent of UK respondents felt it was “very important” to help people in developing countries, 42% felt it was “fairly important”, and 3% felt it was “not at all important”. The corresponding EU averages were 40%, 49% and 2%.Forty-four percent of UK respondents felt it was “very important” to help people in developing countries, 42% felt it was “fairly important”, and 3% felt it was “not at all important”. The corresponding EU averages were 40%, 49% and 2%.
Seventy percent of Britons surveyed agreed that aid contributes to a “more peaceful and equal world” – as did 76% across the EU.Seventy percent of Britons surveyed agreed that aid contributes to a “more peaceful and equal world” – as did 76% across the EU.
People in the UK believed the most pressing issues for developing countries were water and sanitation (39%), health (38%) and education (37%). Across the EU, they were peace and security (41%), health, and education (both 34%).People in the UK believed the most pressing issues for developing countries were water and sanitation (39%), health (38%) and education (37%). Across the EU, they were peace and security (41%), health, and education (both 34%).
Respondents in the UK were more likely than the EU average to agree that individuals can play a part in tackling poverty in developing countries (63% v 52%). They were also prepared to pay more for groceries or products from developing countries to support people (64% v 50%), and more likely to give money to NGOs or charities helping developing countries (33% v 23%).Respondents in the UK were more likely than the EU average to agree that individuals can play a part in tackling poverty in developing countries (63% v 52%). They were also prepared to pay more for groceries or products from developing countries to support people (64% v 50%), and more likely to give money to NGOs or charities helping developing countries (33% v 23%).
The poll of 27,672 Europeans, which was conducted from 28 November to 7 December, also revealed that, despite their majority support for overseas aid, 78% of Britons had never heard of the sustainable development goals, which have replaced the millennium development goals and will shape the international development agenda for the next 15 years. The EU average figure was 63%.The poll of 27,672 Europeans, which was conducted from 28 November to 7 December, also revealed that, despite their majority support for overseas aid, 78% of Britons had never heard of the sustainable development goals, which have replaced the millennium development goals and will shape the international development agenda for the next 15 years. The EU average figure was 63%.
Ben Jackson, CEO of Bond, the UK membership body for relief and development charities, said the survey showed that, far from being hostile to aid, Britain was “a more generous nation than some people think”.Ben Jackson, CEO of Bond, the UK membership body for relief and development charities, said the survey showed that, far from being hostile to aid, Britain was “a more generous nation than some people think”.
He added: “The bottom line is ordinary people want politicians to continue to keep our aid promise to countries like Syria and help those most affected by tackling the root causes of poverty and conflict.”He added: “The bottom line is ordinary people want politicians to continue to keep our aid promise to countries like Syria and help those most affected by tackling the root causes of poverty and conflict.”
In 2013, the UK became one of a handful of wealthy countries to meet the 43-year-old UN target of spending 0.7% – or £11.4bn – of gross national income on overseas aid.In 2013, the UK became one of a handful of wealthy countries to meet the 43-year-old UN target of spending 0.7% – or £11.4bn – of gross national income on overseas aid.
Last year, in the face of considerable backbench opposition, the government enshrined the 0.7% commitment in law as part of its strategy for “a healthier, more stable and increasingly prosperous world”.Last year, in the face of considerable backbench opposition, the government enshrined the 0.7% commitment in law as part of its strategy for “a healthier, more stable and increasingly prosperous world”.
Related: Sustainable development quiz: what do you know about the global goals?
However, the refugee crisis has reopened the debate over how and where the UK spends its multi-billion pound aid budget. In November, the prime minister, David Cameron, said he was willing to commit almost half a billion pounds of the UK’s aid budget over the next five years to ease the flow of migrants and refugees to Europe.However, the refugee crisis has reopened the debate over how and where the UK spends its multi-billion pound aid budget. In November, the prime minister, David Cameron, said he was willing to commit almost half a billion pounds of the UK’s aid budget over the next five years to ease the flow of migrants and refugees to Europe.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development this month changed the definition of foreign aid to include some military and security spending in fragile countries. The move was criticised by charities, which warned that it risked diverting money from the poorest people, and by the UN’s development chief, Helen Clark, who said it could even undermine the stability of the least developed countries.The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development this month changed the definition of foreign aid to include some military and security spending in fragile countries. The move was criticised by charities, which warned that it risked diverting money from the poorest people, and by the UN’s development chief, Helen Clark, who said it could even undermine the stability of the least developed countries.
Neven Mimica, the EU commissioner for international cooperation and development, said the survey showed how much EU citizens care about development. “Almost nine out of 10 respondents think that helping developing countries is important, while more than seven out of 10 agree that tackling poverty in developing countries has a positive influence on EU citizens,” he said.Neven Mimica, the EU commissioner for international cooperation and development, said the survey showed how much EU citizens care about development. “Almost nine out of 10 respondents think that helping developing countries is important, while more than seven out of 10 agree that tackling poverty in developing countries has a positive influence on EU citizens,” he said.
“So at a time when Europe is challenged to make the case of its relevance to its citizens, we should seize this opportunity and make sure that we show the results of what we do, the impact it has on the ground, the difference it makes to the lives of people and how it benefits Europe’s values and interests.”“So at a time when Europe is challenged to make the case of its relevance to its citizens, we should seize this opportunity and make sure that we show the results of what we do, the impact it has on the ground, the difference it makes to the lives of people and how it benefits Europe’s values and interests.”