World Vision backs call to put children first

World Vision welcomes Labour’s re-affirmation that it backs creating a new law to uphold a decades-old pledge that 0.7% of Britain’s Gross National Income is spent on aid.

Ivan Lewis, Shadow International Development Secretary, re-iterated the policy in today’s speech to the Labour Party Conference in Manchester. 

Mr Lewis also spoke of “a global campaign to ensure an integrated approach to early childhood years”, and making sure this was at the heart of the new post-2015 global development framework.

First 1,000 days

Justin Byworth, Chief Executive of World Vision UK, said: “The Shadow International Development Secretary has hit the nail on the head in recognising that helping children in their earliest days is the key to improving their life prospects.

“Our research already shows that the first 1,000 days is the most crucial in a child’s life – so that’s the time to act.

“We also welcome Labour re-affirming their support for a law that 0.7% of Gross National Income is spent on aid.”

Universal access

Mr Lewis told delegates at today’s conference: “We believe now is the time for big global economic and social change.

“Growth which is sustainable, companies that are both profitable and responsible, meaningful agreements on fair trade and climate change, universal access to free healthcare, compulsory education and social protection.”