The UK will continue to champion poverty reduction, gender equality and tackle exclusion in international development because that’s the only way we will create a fairer, safer and more prosperous world, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. This is the right thing to do, serves the national interest and will be central to the new department’s mission. We will undergo the necessary process to transfer responsibilities under the International Development Act to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Spending 0.7 per cent of our national income on aid is enshrined in law and is a manifesto commitment.