David Cameron's plan to set a statutory minimum of 0.7% of the national income to be spend on official development assistance (ODA) has encountered resistance within both his party and his government. Defense secretary for the conservatives Liam Fox has written Cameron a letter expressing his disapproval with this proposed amendment, he thinks the plan is likely to cause the government legal challenges in the future. Fox prefers an alternative in which a target is recognized in legislation and reflected upon in an annual report
According to a source close to Fox, he is in favor of a 0.7% target, but disapproves with Cameron on how to legislate this. Currently this target is not met, in 2009 the percentage of national income spent on ODA was 0,52%.
Some conservative MPs go further in criticizing Their prime minister and party leader by saying it is not wise to increase spending on ODA in times where domestic priorities, like defense, are at stake.
I consider it nothing less than a duty for any wealthy country, like the UK is, to have aid for less privileged countries amongst the top priorities at all times, providing the way it's spend is closely looked after and controlled. In this perspective, 0.7 per cent seems quite small to me, but considering it was only 0.52% not too long ago, legally insuring a 0.7% minimum seems a good start to me.
It surprises me that this proposal is made by a conservative prime minister and my estimation of David Cameron has altered positively by this, especially considering the resistance he encounters.
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