Carden comments on govertment u-turn on scrapping international development department

Dan Carden MP, Labour’s Shadow International Development Secretary, commenting on reports that the government is no longer planning to close the Department for International Development, said:

“With the world facing a climate emergency, spiralling inequality and long-running conflicts, it is the right decision to maintain an independent department for international development.

“The suggested plan to dissolve the department was always a terrible idea. We must never turn our backs on those suffering at the forefronts of the world’s greatest problems. 

“Labour will continue to defend the existence of the department we created two decades ago so that it can continue its vital work fighting poverty and delivering humanitarian assistance overseas.”

Ends

Notes to Editors:

·       Boris Johnson will not axe the foreign aid department as he scales back pre-election plans for Whitehall shake-up: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7858285/Boris-Johnson-not-axe-foreign-aid-department-scales-proposed-Whitehall-shake-up.html