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MPs back spending 0.7% of GDP on foreign aid

MPs have seen off an attempt by some Tory backbenchers to block legislation to lock in the proportion of GDP spent on foreign aid.

MPs voted by 146 to 6 in favour of the legislation after some Conservatives made extremely long speeches in attempt to derail its passage through the House of Commons.

Packages of British aid heading overseas. Credit: Stefan Wermuth/PA Wire

A series of amendments tabled by Tory backbenchers were also rejected.

The Bill, introduced to the Commons by Liberal Democrat MP Michael Moore, makes the aim of spending 0.7% of national income on overseas development a legal requirement.