Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Official Development Assistance Budget

Tuesday 2 March 2021 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government remains committed to reducing poverty in developing countries, including in the global south, despite reductions in the official development assistance budget.
  • The UK has contributed 1 billion to Yemen since the start of the conflict and pledged an additional 87 million at a recent conference.
  • The Minister states that the UK will continue to work with partners on the delivery of aid programmes and does not recognize the need for an immediate reversal of aid budget cuts.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jeff Smith Lab Manchester Withington
Context

The MP questioned the potential impact of aid budget cuts on poverty in developing countries, particularly in the global south.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the effect of reductions in the official development assistance budget on poverty in the global south?

Answer from James Duddridge

The Government remain firmly committed to helping the world's poorest people. Our aid budget will continue to serve the primary aim of reducing poverty in developing countries, including in the global south.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific assessment or analysis of how reductions impact poverty

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
Taxation Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP criticized the government for slashing life-saving aid during a pandemic, specifically mentioning Yemen where £87 million was pledged recently.

Question

Will the Minister press the Chancellor to reverse his decision on cutting the aid budget and rebuild Britain's position as a supportive nation by using this week's Budget?

Answer from James Duddridge

I am sorry the hon. Gentleman thinks that £10 billion is a small sum of money. He mentions Yemen; we should be proud that, since the start of that conflict, we have contributed £1 billion, and at the pledging conference yesterday, a further £87 million.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address reversing the decision or rebuilding Britain's position as supportive nation

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Martyn Day SNP
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP questioned the lack of a timetable for aid budget cuts, expressing concern about project outcomes and planning.

Question

Does the Minister agree that delaying the implementation of aid budget cuts will be detrimental to project outcomes, suggesting instead an immediate reversal?

Answer from James Duddridge

I just do not recognise the timescale that the hon. Member speaks of. We work with partners on an ongoing basis on the delivery of programmes, and we will continue to do so.

Not addressed: Did not address detrimental effects or immediate reversal suggestion

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Jeff Smith Lab Manchester Withington
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP questioned the morality of cutting aid by 60% during a humanitarian crisis in Yemen, citing UN Secretary-General's concerns.

Question

Is it not our duty to lead on Yemen aid and is reducing aid by 60% at a time of acute humanitarian crisis a terrible example as suggested by the UN Secretary-General?

Answer from James Duddridge

Another person who does not think that £1 billion is a lot of money—[Interruption.] Well, £87 million is a lot of money. We are doing exactly what the hon. Gentleman is saying and we are standing up.

Not addressed: Did not address duty to lead or moral concerns about aid cuts

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q5 Chris Law SNP Dundee Central
Taxation Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP criticized the Government for reneging on the legal commitment to spend 0.7% of GNI on aid, asking if they would refuse cuts and resign.

Question

Will the Foreign Secretary refuse to implement cuts before legislation is passed and will he resign if breaking the law?

Answer from James Duddridge

As the Foreign Secretary said earlier, we will look carefully at what is required by law, but the law envisages that 0.7% target potentially not being met in any given year, in view of the specific fiscal and economic circumstances.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a clear stance on refusing cuts or potential resignation

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q6 Sarah Champion Lab Rotherham
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP expressed shame over halving aid contributions to Yemen, questioning the consultation process with NGOs and partners.

Question

What consultation has the Minister had with non-governmental organisations, recipients, and partners in the global south regarding changes to UK aid spending?

Answer from James Duddridge

The process the hon. Lady mentions regarding the decisions on publication has not yet been met. Our focus has been on looking at country plans and the programmes centrally, and on doing that through countries.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details of consultations or timeline for publishing country allocations

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)