Response to Christian Aid report on free trade policy
A Christian Aid report published today claims that an unfettered free trade policy backed by the UK government has contributed to the suicide of farmers in India. It says that the government has gone back on the recommendations of the Commission for Africa report that stated poor countries should not be forced to liberalise in order to receive aid. The report entitled: "The Damage Done: Aid, Death and Dogma" coincides with Christian Aid Week.
DFID's response to the report:
“DFID’s support for economic reform in Andhra Pradesh, including the privatisation of state-owned enterprises, has helped safeguard the livelihoods of around two million people. Without reform, the state government would have continued to spend hundreds of millions of pounds subsidising loss-making enterprises. That money can now be used for more productive expenditure, including in the social sectors, such as health and education. The UK does not support unfettered free trade or forced liberalisation. The UK government is committed to fairer trade rules and removing barriers to trade. As a long-term objective the removal of trade barriers will benefit poor and rich countries."
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