Welcome from aid agencies

Third World aid agencies have welcomed the Budget's increase in Overseas Development Assistance to more than £137 million.

Third World aid agencies have welcomed the Budget's increase in Overseas Development Assistance to more than £137 million.

However, Trocaire said it was concerned that this still fell short of the growth rate needed to meet the target set in the Programme for Government.

Concern said it welcomed the increase, which was "in marked contrast to what is happening in other parts of the world, where governments are cutting back in their overseas development assistance".

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