Aid Budget Reduction Humanitarian Impact 2021-06-15
2021-06-15
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK aid budget is being reduced, potentially affecting humanitarian efforts in developing countries.
What assessment has been made of the potential effect of reductions in the UK aid budget on UK humanitarian work overseas?
The UK will spend £10 billion in official development assistance in 2021, making us the third highest bilateral humanitarian donor country based on the OECD data.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a detailed assessment of potential effects on humanitarian work
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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UK aid cuts are affecting humanitarian assistance in conflict-stricken regions such as Yemen and Ethiopia, where millions face starvation.
Can the Foreign Secretary confirm the size of the cut to UK aid for Ethiopia and tell the House what is planned to reduce hundreds of thousands of deaths from malnutrition?
I do not accept the proposition that he has put forward. We remain the third largest donor in the G7 based on GNI. The final figures come out through DevTracker as historically always been the case. For example, we made a £430 million contribution to the Global Partnership for Education.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm size of cuts or measures against malnutrition deaths in Ethiopia
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Q3
Partial Answer
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The Prime Minister dismissed protests against cuts in development aid as 'lefty propaganda', ignoring severe consequences like starvation for millions.
Can the Foreign Secretary recognize that aid cuts are not about politics but life and death, and will he now reconsider this decision to save lives?
We remain the third largest donor in the G7 based on GNI. We made the biggest ever donation to the Global Partnership for Education, raising billions from other partners towards education goals. We doubled bilateral spending on international climate finance and secured a billion more vaccines by mid-next year.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address moral implications or commitment to reversing cuts
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Q4
Partial Answer
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The UK is shifting its focus towards integrating diplomacy and development in the Indo-Pacific, amid concerns over prioritizing aid to this region.
Can the Foreign Secretary advise which areas or countries of the Indo-Pacific will receive priority investment despite cuts to overall ODA?
As historically always been the case, final figures come out through DevTracker. At the weekend, we made a £430 million contribution to the Global Partnership for Education—a 15% increase on last year that will affect many of the countries and regions described.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify prioritized areas or countries in the Indo-Pacific
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Criticism of the UK government for cutting development aid, despite other G7 countries stepping up their contributions.
At a time when poorest nations need support, does this Tory Government care? Do you know how the Foreign Secretary and his Government sleep at night knowing they have blood on their hands?
We are the third biggest ODA budget contributor in the G7. We made a global commitment on girls' education, doubling the average annual spend on international climate finance. We led the way with vaccine contributions and remain a leader in humanitarian spending.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address moral concerns over aid cuts
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Q6
Partial Answer
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COVAX aimed to deliver 2 billion doses globally by the end of 2021, but only a small fraction has been shipped. The UK cut its aid budget while other countries increased theirs.
Covax aimed to deliver 2 billion doses globally, but less than 5% have been shipped. With global vaccine shortages and inequitable access, does the Secretary of State agree that cutting aid made it harder for the PM to lead on vaccine strategy at G7?
The hon. Lady is mistaken; the G7 agreed 100 million doses by mid-next year, adding to the 1 billion already secured through COVAX, thus accelerating global vaccination.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address whether aid cuts affected UK's ability to lead on vaccine strategy
The Hon. Lady Is Mistaken
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Q7
Partial Answer
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Estimates suggest that the UK's recent aid budget cuts will result in more than a million child deaths globally.
With widespread opposition to the aid cuts, does the Foreign Secretary commit to reversing them or is he willing to let these cuts lead to 1 million preventable child deaths?
The hon. Gentleman's language reflects more on him than the Government; we remain the third biggest G7 donor despite financial constraints.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address whether aid cuts will lead to child deaths or if he will reverse them
The Hon. Gentleman'S Language Reflects More On Him Than The Government
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
A man-made famine is unfolding in Tigray with over 350,000 people living in famine conditions and 2 million at risk.
How much humanitarian aid has the FCDO provided to Tigray? How much has been distributed? What action is being taken to secure and safeguard food aid distribution?
FCDO provided £22 million for support in Tigray; humanitarian access improved but still restricted. UK issued statements of concern at G7, working on ensuring withdrawal of Eritrean forces and investigating human rights abuses.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify how much aid has been distributed or concrete steps to secure food aid distribution
Response accuracy