Tackling climate change and putting more focus on war-torn regions of the world will be a key strategy for the UK�s overseas aid budget, Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, told MPs yesterday.

Tackling climate change and putting more focus on war-torn regions of the world will be a key strategy for the UK's overseas aid budget, Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, told MPs yesterday.

In a Commons statement outlining a government White Paper on international development, Mr Alexander said the world was at a "critical juncture" in efforts to alleviate poverty, with progress threatened by the global recession.

He said the UK would spend £1bn a year on overseas aid to countries that have recently emerged from conflict, with the money being targeted at security and job creation rather than traditional areas such as health and education.

The MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South reiterated that the UK was committed to keeping its promise of dedicating 0.7% of national income to development assistance by 2013, but he acknowledged that under the new approach the UK would "prioritise our efforts and work in fewer countries". He said half of all new bilateral aid will go to regions ravaged by conflict and instability, with tackling violence against women a priority.

Under the White Paper, half of bilateral aid would be invested in public services, helping to get eight million African children into schools and delivering an extra 30 million anti-malaria bednets by 2013.

Working to tackle global problems will require more cooperation with international organisations, and there will be increased investment to help developing countries "mitigate and adapt" to climate change, capped at 10% of official development assistance.

The Conservatives, who have promised to match Labour's commitment to the international development budget, said there was much in the White Paper to welcome.