France rows back on development aid cuts

Following four consecutive years of cuts, France was expected to stabilise its aid budget in 2016. This was seen as a first step towards the €4 billion increase promised by president François Hollande.

After originally presenting another reduced development aid budget for 2016, the French government back-tracked and submitted an amendment to bring the situation more in line with its promises. The amendment submitted by the French government on 13 October 2015 proposed to increase the share of the Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) allocated to development aid from €160 to €260.

• Primary Source

EurActiv, 01.10.15: Oxfam: 'French 2016 budget contradicts development promises' http://www.euractiv.com/sections/development-policy/oxfam-french-2016-budget-contradicts-development-promises-318153

ESO: Background information: French Parliament launches aid budget rescue package http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-parliament-launches-aid-budget-rescue-package/

EurActiv, 20.10.15: France to use 50% of FTT revenue on overseas aid http://www.euractiv.com/sections/development-policy/france-use-50-ftt-revenue-overseas-aid-318689

EurActiv, 16.12.15: French 2016 budget exposes empty promises on development http://www.euractiv.com/sections/development-policy/french-2016-budget-exposes-empty-promises-development-320471

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