The International Development Select Committee yesterday called for the Department for International Development (DFID) make "greater use of the expertise that exists within local government in the UK".

In its report following the Select Committee inquiry into 'Aid under Pressure', the Committee put forward the recommendation "that DFID explore the possibility of a development partnership with the Local Government Association and other local government organisations".

In the context of the global economic downturn, the inquiry looked into the increased pressures on aid and developing countries. Reduced income from trade, reduced remmittances and foreign investment, combined with threats to global development expenditure, means that the developing world is facing huge pressures.

The UK Government has been clear that even in the face of tough economic times, it will continue to try and reach its commitment of giving 0.7% of gross national income to overseas aid. However, the economic crisis is still expected to throw an additional 90 million people into poverty by the end of 2010 and set back progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by three years. This means that improving the effectiveness of aid - the ability for aid to reach the poorest - is ever more important.

The UK Local Government Alliance for International Development believes that local government (both in the UK and overseas) has a vital role to play in improving the effectiveness of UK aid delivery. LG AID argues that targeting resources and building capacity at the local level will better address the needs of the poorest. As a community leader at the frontline of delivering services to local communities, UK local government is skilled in ensuring that local services respond to local need and can offer first rate practical knowledge that is directly relevant to the needs of development partners at local, regional and national levels.

A copy of the submission to the International Development Select Committee Inquiry into 'Aid under Pressure', submitted by the Local Government Association, is available in our resources section.