In its submission to the DFID White Paper team, the UK Local Government Alliance for International Development (LG AID) calls for the Department for International Development (DFID) to work together with its local government partners in the UK and overseas to deliver the UK's international development commitments.

LG AID believe that local government has an important role to play in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and that DFID, through greater cooperation with local government, can enhance its efforts to eliminate world poverty.

In its response to DFID's consultation for their new White Paper on the future UK international development strategy, LG AID emphasise that local government is at the frontline of delivering services that directly influence the MDGs, through its role as a deliverer of local services, as the democratic voice of local communities and as a promoter of local economic growth and enterprise.

LG AID asks DFID to adopt a strategy for strengthening local government in developing countries, highlighting that more capable and accountable government at the local level will ensure more effective delivery of aid programmes and long-term sustainable local development. LG AID argues that ‘local government should be automatically turned to as a partner in the planning and delivery of poverty reduction programmes on the ground.’

The response also highlights the expertise that exists within local government in the UK and emphasises the ‘first-rate practitioner knowledge’ offered to development partners at local, regional and national levels as well as bringing benefits to participating UK partner councils in terms of international learning, enhanced service delivery and staff development.

The document declares: ‘There is a huge opportunity for DFID to build a new relationship with local government in the UK that recognises the depth of resource and skills that exists in local government and its potential to work as a true partner in improving the local impact of aid and promoting greater local accountability in development.’

Click here for a copy of the LG AID White Paper Submission