Shadow Secretary of State for International Development, Kate Osamor, responding to Theresa May announcement on spending 0.7 per cent of GNI on international development, said:

“The Tories have been cutting the aid budget by stealth for years, and they are now arguing over whether to go even further by abandoning the international definition of aid.

“The Prime Minister needs to end this speculation immediately by confirming that the Tories would continue to abide by the definition set out by the OECD. Abandoning the globally recognised standard would undermine the purpose of the 0.7 per cent commitment and send a terrible signal to the rest of the world.

“The UK’s commitment to help the world’s poorest is vital and should not be being called into question in this way.”