Andrew Mitchell says a new vision for UK development will improve global prosperity and reduce poverty

Islamabad: The UK’s International Development Minister, Andrew Mitchell, delivered a speech at the world-leading policy institute, Chatham House, setting out a new vision for the UK’s development work, which will have profound effects internationally including in Pakistan.

He pledged that the British government will drive forward the UK’s fight to reduce poverty and boost climate security, and to reassert its commitment to build shared prosperity through partnerships.

In his speech, Minister Mitchell launched “UK International Development – UKDEV” a new brand that promises value for money to UK taxpayers, reliability to the UK’s partners and friends around the world, and a commitment to help reach the sustainable development global goals. The new brand shifts the emphasis from aid, to long term partnerships, which are mutually respectful, beneficial, and accountable drawing on the full range of the UK’s strengths and expertise.

Minister Mitchell emphasised his determination to increase the development budget and return to the UK investing 0.7% of its GDP in development when conditions allow. He said that girls and women will be at the forefront of all UK development efforts, and that the UK will boost and increase funding to education, family planning, prosperity, malnutrition and to further efforts to tackle climate change. He also urged the international financial system to radically change to make good on promises for international climate financing.

Andrew Mitchell said the following on education development: ‘‘I’m also delighted to announce that the UK is launching today an innovative new programme SCALE, which stands for scaling, access and learning, and education. This builds on all we have learned from the girls’ education challenge fund. We will partner with governments that want to test new approaches, and then scale them up in their national systems. This will lead to an additional 6 million girls in school over 4 years, thanks to the British taxpayer.’’