BBC NEWS | Politics | Tory plan to end global poverty

BBC NEWS | Politics | Tory plan to end global poverty: "BBC NEWS
Tory plan to end global poverty
The Tories would match Labour spending plans on international development arguing the move underlines their commitment to ending global poverty.

Spokesman Alan Duncan said the pledge should be seen in the context of a tougher spending regimen than Labour's.

He said the difference from Labour would be in the way cash was spent.

'You will see that the long-term prosperity of the world's poorest I think is better served by our policies than Labour's,' said Mr Duncan.

Consultants

Denying the two parties now had effectively the same policy, he said the Tories would zoom in existing money he believes is being wasted.

Mr Duncan gave the example of the �976m, nearly a quarter of the department's budget, which he said was currently spent on consultants.

He announced a Conservative government would increase the DFID budget from �4.5bn in 2005/6 to �5bn in 2006/7 and then �5.3bn in 2007/8 - matching Labour's commitment.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk_politics/4152547.stm

Published: 2005/01/06 16:30:48 GMT

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