Overview

This bill mandates the UK government to meet the United Nations' target of allocating 0.7% of its gross national income to Official Development Assistance (ODA) annually. It also establishes an independent office to oversee the efficient and effective spending of this aid.

Description

The International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill legally obligates the Secretary of State to ensure the UK meets the 0.7% ODA target each year, starting in 2014. If the target isn't met, a statement explaining the reasons (e.g., economic or fiscal circumstances) and planned corrective actions must be presented to Parliament. Section 3 of the 2006 International Development (Reporting and Transparency) Act, regarding future target projections, is repealed. Crucially, the bill creates an Independent International Development Office (IIDO).

The Independent International Development Office (IIDO)

The IIDO will independently evaluate ODA's relevance, impact, value, and sustainability. It will also develop systems to verify efficient and effective spending. The IIDO will report annually to Parliament, with the Secretary of State responding to these reports. The House of Commons' International Development Committee will oversee the IIDO's work and report annually on its activities. The IIDO's budget will be set by the Secretary of State, and its funding will come from Parliament.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify exact figures for increased government spending. However, it legally commits the UK to maintaining a minimum level of ODA spending tied to a percentage of gross national income. Failure to meet this target could lead to significant financial implications depending on the extent of shortfall.

Groups Affected

• UK Government: Legally bound to meet the 0.7% ODA target and face parliamentary scrutiny if it fails.
• Department for International Development (DFID): Responsible for implementing the ODA allocation and responding to IIDO reports.
• International Development Committee: Oversees the IIDO and reports annually on its performance.
• Recipient countries of UK aid: Potentially affected by changes in the amount or allocation of aid, dependent on UK's adherence to the 0.7% target.
• The IIDO: The newly established independent body responsible for evaluating and verifying the effectiveness of UK ODA spending.

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