£4m rise in funds for frontline aid

Hilary Ben will today announce a massive increase in funding for frontline aid organisations.

The International Development Secretary will tell the Labour conference that the amount given to development organisations will go up from £10 million to £14 million a year, an increase of 40 per cent.

The money will go to non - governmental organisations including WaterAid and Mercy Ships. Mr Benn says he wants to "give more suppor t to small and medium- sized NGOs working around the world".

Both the Prime Minister and Chancellor put international development at the heart of their conference addresses.