WEST WORCESTERSHIRE MP Harriett Baldwin has welcomed news the Government’s commitment to share Covid vaccines with the world will result in an international aid boost.
The devout campaigner for international aid and former Africa Minister spoke out after Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed 100million doses of the vaccine would be shared with the world’s poorest countries in the fight against Covid-19.
Mrs Baldwin was among more than a dozen rebel Tory MPs who brought the issue of Britain’s aid cut to Parliament last week in a bid to force ministers to reverse next year’s proposed 0.7 aid cut next year to 0.5pc.
The rebels failed in their bid to hold the Government to its own manifesto promise to keep aid at 0.7 per cent of the national income. They did win support from Commons speaker Lindsay Hoyle who encouraged the Government to offer a vote on the issue – a plea rejected by Number 10.
Mrs Baldwin spoke in Parliament and encouraged the Government to share vaccine stock with other countries and called for the financial donations to fund this project to come on top of the current aid spending commitment.
“The vaccine programme has been enormously successful in the United Kingdom but the job will not be complete until all of the world has been able to access our excellent vaccines,” she said.
“This is coming through sharing of stockpiles and also financial support, and I was pleased the Government has confirmed this cash will come on top of our existing spending commitments.
“Of course, I am keen that we stick to our 0.7 per cent commitment, which I and every MP backed at the last General Election.
“This announcement takes us closer to the goal and shows that aid is a win-win, making the world safer for everyone.
“I am proud that we can still say we are doing our bit to help the poorest countries deal with this global public health crisis.”
