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Estimates Day
04 March 2026
Lead MP
Sarah Champion
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EmploymentForeign AffairsAgriculture & Rural AffairsStandards & Ethics
Other Contributors: 34
At a Glance
Sarah Champion raised concerns about estimates day in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The hon. Member thanked the Backbench Business Committee for allowing a debate on the FCDO, noting the significant reduction in the UK's development budget from 0.7% to 0.5% of GNI and projected to be 0.3% by 2027. She highlighted the cut to the UK's international climate finance commitment by £2.6 billion, which impacts the UK's ability to support stability and prosperity both abroad and at home. She emphasised that aid is a highly cost-effective way of preventing conflict and supporting development, allowing girls to be educated, women to work, and farmers to feed their communities. She also pointed out the reductions to the FCDO's supplementary estimate, with day-to-day spending reduced by £457 million and investment spending by £228 million, primarily affecting the ODA budget. The hon. Member expressed concern about the lack of transparency regarding programme impacts and staffing reductions. She urged the Minister not to step away from the polio eradication programme and to ensure that ICAI is not axed. She also raised concerns about the UK's aid strategy shifting towards investment-led development and the potential impact on the poorest of the poor.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
The hon. Member commended the hon. Member for Rotherham (Sarah Champion) and suggested that partnerships with church groups, NGOs and individuals could be beneficial in aiding development. He proposed that the Minister and Government should consider this approach.
Christopher Vince
Lab Co-op
Harlow
The hon. Member asked the Chair of the International Development Committee about her reassurance regarding the UK's leading role in the eradication of polio. He mentioned that he had received good answers from the Minister regarding this issue.
Calvin Bailey
Lab
Leyton and Wanstead
The hon. Member emphasised the importance of having people available to facilitate the transition from aid to trade, and asked the hon. Member for Rotherham to elaborate on the importance of retaining staff to deliver the shift.
Jim McMahon
Lab Co-op
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
The hon. Member agreed with the importance of co-operatives in economic development, as they create jobs and give people a stake in the future of those jobs.
David Mundell
Con
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
The hon. Member echoed the sentiments of the hon. Member for Strangford and expressed disappointment that previous Governments did not follow the International Development Committee's recommendation for someone from the FCDO to be on the board of BII.
Noah Law
Lab
St Austell and Newquay
The hon. Member disagreed with the right hon. Member for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, expressing concern about the politicisation of state-backed financial institutions and its potential impact on their stability and effectiveness.
Maldon
John Whittingdale discusses the challenges faced by the Foreign Office due to budget cuts and the potential impact on its activities. He supports increasing defence spending but emphasises the importance of soft power, questioning the future of the Soft Power Council. He raises concerns about the funding for the BBC World Service and the British Council, highlighting the need for reliable information and cultural influence against malign Russian and Chinese influence. He also calls for the UK to take a leading role in promoting media freedom.
Calvin Bailey
Lab
Leyton and Wanstead
Calvin Bailey agrees with Whittingdale's points about the British Council and its importance in countering Russian and Chinese influence, emphasising the cultural and linguistic training it provides to countries. He also highlights the need for support in African countries like Gabon and Mozambique to help them move away from Chinese influence.
Emily Thornberry
Lab
Islington South and Finsbury
Thornberry pays tribute to the work of FCDO staff and the vital importance of the Foreign Office, highlighting the challenges they face and the potential job cuts. She expresses concern about the restructuring of the Foreign Office and the British Council, and emphasises the importance of the BBC World Service in promoting truth and countering misinformation.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Endorses Thornberry's comments about the BBC World Service and inquires about the funding of BBC Monitoring, suggesting the need for a dedicated ringfenced grant for the service.
David Mundell
Con
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Mundell requested the Minister to continue supporting Abercrombie House in East Kilbride as the FCDO’s second headquarters. He noted the FCDO's significant budget cuts and expressed concern over the deeper and faster cuts compared to the Trump Administration. He highlighted the importance of the Child Nutrition Fund and the need for a strategic approach to ODA. He emphasised the necessity of a plan for the future of aid and the importance of not creating a vacuum of influence. He specifically mentioned the impact of the cuts on HIV/AIDS funding.
Nusrat Ghani
Con
Sussex Weald
Ghani mentioned that there is now a speaking limit of seven minutes, but her contribution was limited to this brief remark.
Noah Law
Lab
St Austell and Newquay
Law argued that the model used to deliver the FCDO’s aim of alleviating poverty and stabilising countries has been confused for too long. He emphasised the need to trust local knowledge, build local institutions, and empower local businesswomen and businessmen to deliver economic growth that sustainably lifts people out of poverty. He questioned the Minister about why the Government is not capitalising on institutions that deliver on development and climate goals. Law also highlighted the need to measure success not by how much is given, but by how little is eventually needed.
Brian Mathew
Lib Dem
Melksham and Devizes
Mathew emphasises the severe reduction in UK aid for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), noting that funding has been cut by 82% since 2018. He argues that WASH is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals, as it underpins health, education, and economic opportunities. Mathew calls for the Government to restore aid funding, particularly for WASH, to uphold the UK's global leadership and values.
Janet Daby
Lab
Lewisham East
Daby discusses the impact of aid cuts on women, peace and security (WPS) and humanitarian assistance in Sudan. She highlights the reduction in WPS projects and the risk to women’s voices in peacebuilding. Daby also raises concerns about the 90% cut to the girls’ education programme in South Sudan and the insufficient funding for the Sudanese humanitarian crisis. She urges the Government to restore ODA spend to 0.7% and to prioritise grassroots organisations alongside Governments.
Edward Morello
Lib Dem
West Dorset
Edward Morello outlines the substantial cuts to FCDO funding, including a 5.3% reduction in day-to-day spending and a 66.6% reduction in capital investment, and their impact on the department's ability to maintain a strong diplomatic presence. He stresses the need for diplomacy and the use of soft power, and criticises the reduction in funding for international institutions and cooperation.
Emily Thornberry
Lab
Islington South and Finsbury
Emily Thornberry interjects to agree with Edward Morello's speech, highlighting the deep relationship between the UK and the United States that goes beyond any single leadership, and underscores the importance of maintaining these relationships.
Fleur Anderson
Lab
Putney
I am honoured to speak in this debate and thank my colleagues for securing it. I worked in international development, specifically on water sanitation and hygiene. I support the BBC and the FCDO staff working hard for my constituents. Britain is back on the international stage, leading on Ukraine, Sudan, and Europe. Development spending is strategic investment, not charity, and it underpins conflict prevention. I am concerned about cuts to the aid budget and the false division between defence and development. I highlight cuts to the ODA budget, aid to Africa, support to Sudan, global health programmes, education, gender, and equality programmes. These cuts leave room for China and Russia to step in. I ask the Minister to confirm our commitments to the BBC, conflict reduction, education, water, sanitation and hygiene, and global health, and to back them up with funding and staff.
Aphra Brandreth
Con
Chester South and Eddisbury
Since the last estimates day, the world has grown more volatile with ongoing war in Europe and the Middle East descending into crisis. The BBC World Service and the British Council are vital to our soft power. I focus on Foreign Office support for education in the Middle East, which is a long-term investment to create a more stable world. I highlight issues with the Palestinian Authority's education reform agenda, including textbooks that promote violence and indoctrination. I ask the Minister to publish the methodology and scope of the audit and to determine whether the content meets acceptable standards.
Sam Rushworth
Lab
Bishop Auckland
Supporting the defence spending that aid cuts will fund and the need for trade and British international investments, while also feeling deeply uncomfortable about the cuts to aid. Urges the Government to draw up and publish a proper, evidence-based impact assessment of the cuts. Highlights the importance of considering the impact on areas such as conflict zones, de-mining operations, and public health, asking for analysis on the impact of these cuts. Emphasises the importance of the UK’s expertise in value for money, sustainability, anti-corruption, and gender mainstreaming. Raises concerns about the influence of China and Russia in the global south.
Monica Harding
Lib Dem
Esher and Walton
Critiqued the Labour Government's decision to cut aid budgets to shore up defence spending, arguing it is a false economy and strategically illiterate. Highlighted that development is a pillar of foreign policy and warned about the risks of slashing aid, including weakening defence and diplomacy. Pointed out that UK aid to Africa has been reduced by £184 million and that international climate finance could fall by nearly £3 billion. Stressed the importance of a coherent strategy and oversight mechanisms like the Independent Commission for Aid Impact. Urged the Government to change course and set out a clear timetable to return to 0.7% aid budget.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
The speaker highlights the ongoing threat to British nationals in the Middle East and calls for the Foreign Secretary to address the situation. She raises concerns about the FCDO's efficiency savings, the financial cost of the former ambassador's appointment, and the impact of the Chagos surrender deal. She also criticises the lack of clarity regarding costs and funding for the Chagos Archipelago deal and calls for transparency in public spending. The speech touches on the relationship with China, the Middle East peace plan, and the need for transparency in aid spending. It also addresses issues in Sudan, Afghanistan, Syria, and Ukraine, emphasising the importance of the FCDO in securing national interests.
Chris Elmore
Lab
Bridgend
Paid tribute to civil servants, confirmed the summoning of the Iranian ambassador, provided updates on consular assistance, acknowledged the need to reduce reliance on the US for defence, committed to meeting statutory obligations on ODA spending, outlined the challenges and importance of change for FCDO 730, and supported the modernised approach to international development focusing on partnerships, impact, and reducing the use of rape as a tool of war.
David Mundell
Con
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Asked about Abercrombie House in Scotland and the plan for the FCDO transformation.
Monica Harding
Lib Dem
Esher and Walton
Skipped over the fact that a Labour Government introduced ODA funding but appreciated that the Lib Dems reached the 0.7% target after the 2010 general election.
Sarah Champion
Lab
Rotherham
Secured the debate and mentioned the International Development Committee.
Emily Thornberry
Lab
Islington South and Finsbury
Secured the debate and mentioned the work of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Noah Law
Con
St Austell and Newquay
Discussed the need for a new approach to international development with the phrase “partners not patrons.”
Jim McMahon
Lab
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Discussed the importance of co-operatives in development.
Brian Mathew
Con
Melksham and Devizes
Asked about water, sanitation, and hygiene in international development.
Fleur Anderson
Con
Putney
Asked about water, sanitation, and hygiene in international development.
Janet Daby
Lab
Lewisham East
Raised the right of women and girls to live in a world free from violence.
North Cotswolds
Asked about the budget for the BBC World Service.
Sarah Champion
Lab
Rotherham
Expressed concern over the staffing situation in the FCDO, highlighting the pressure and trauma staff are experiencing due to restructure and confusion over pensions. Emphasised the importance of having a workforce plan and necessary skills and expertise within the organisation to ensure adequate resources during times of need.
Government Response
EmploymentForeign AffairsAgriculture & Rural AffairsStandards & Ethics
Government Response
Paid tribute to civil servants, confirmed the summoning of the Iranian ambassador, provided updates on consular assistance, acknowledged the need to reduce reliance on the US for defence, committed to meeting statutory obligations on ODA spending, outlined the challenges and importance of change for FCDO 730, and supported the modernised approach to international development focusing on partnerships, impact, and reducing the use of rape as a tool of war.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
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