By Nick Mann | 13 September 2012

The UK remains committed to spending 0.7% of its gross national income in aid by 2013, according to International Development Secretary Justine Greening.

Greening was appointed as the replacement for Andrew Mitchell during a ministerial reshuffle last week. Her arrival prompted media speculation that the aid target, which would amount to an estimated £12.6bn in 2014, would be abandoned as part of the government’s cost saving plans.

But, during her first meeting with charities earlier this week, Greening said: ‘Delivering on our promise of 0.7% is the right thing to do, whether it's helping countries cope with natural disasters and famines, or working with some of the British charities who are world leaders in international development.

‘I will critically assess our budget on behalf of the British taxpayer to make sure that, pound for pound, it goes exactly where it's intended and where it can make the biggest difference.’

Focusing on international development would also help UK business, she said in comments first published by The Guardian. This had been shown by the opportunities for firms to work with emerging world economies such as China and India.

‘My work in international development will sit alongside the Foreign Office's work led by William Hague to build strong relationships around the world, as the developing countries of today become our trading partners of tomorrow,’ she added.

In March, the UK House of Lords economic affairs select committee called on the government to drop the 0.7% target, claiming it meant development aid would be focused on the amount spent rather than the results achieved. The government had originally planned to make the target legally binding, but has yet to publish formal plans for doing this.

As a member of the European Union, the UK is striving towards the Millennium Development Goals, which aim for 0.7% of GNI to be spent on overseas development aid by 2015.