WINSFORD MP Stephen O’Brien has given his full backing to a Bill that will commit more funds to international aid.

Mr O’Brien, MP for Eddisbury, voted for the progression of the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill.

If made into law, the Bill will enshrine the UK’s commitment to spend 0.7% of Gross National Income on Official Development Assistance overseas.

Mr O’Brien said: “I am tremendously supportive of the overseas investment made by the UK and firmly believe that we have a responsibility as a nation to tackle global poverty, because that is in all our interests here in Eddisbury and the UK as it is the best contribution to build security.

“I support the Government’s pledge to deliver 0.7% of the UK's Gross National Income (GNI) as Official Development Assistance from 2013 and to enshrine this in law and am pleased to see its success today in the House of Commons.”

Following the Bill’s Second Reading in the House of Commons in September, Mr O’Brien served on the Committee to scrutinise the Bill before its Report Stage.

The Bill has now had its Report Stage and Third Reading and has passed all legislative stages in the House of Commons and will now head to the House of Lords.