Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Official Development Assistance

Tuesday 26 November 2024 · 4 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chris Law questioned the Government on the reduction and reallocation of official development assistance.
  • Harpreet Uppal raised concerns about conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan and praised UK efforts to address the issue.
  • Andrew Rosindell inquired about the costs to British taxpayers regarding the deal involving the Chagos islands.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Law SNP Dundee Central
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from concerns about the government's cuts to aid budgets and reallocation of funds towards in-donor refugee costs, which impacts overseas ODA projects.

Question

If he will increase the amount and proportion of official development assistance allocated to humanitarian projects. The Government's insistence on continuing to implement the Tories' deep and damaging cuts to the aid budget and unprecedented levels of ODA spending on in-donor refugee costs is resulting in reductions, pauses and cancellations of overseas ODA projects.

Answer from Anneliese Dodds

I can tell the hon. Gentleman that our programme budget for the FCDO in 2025-26 will actually be at its highest level in recent years. We are able to deliver that because this Government are taking action on the issues that the previous Government did not tackle, in particular the in-donor refugee costs that have eaten into that budget.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for an increase in ODA allocated to humanitarian projects, but the answer focused on the overall FCDO programme budget and criticism of previous government actions.

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Q2 Chris Law SNP Dundee Central
Foreign Affairs Benefits & Welfare
Context

Concerns about the impact of aid budget cuts and reallocation towards in-donor refugee costs on overseas ODA projects.

Question

The Government's insistence on continuing to implement the Tories' deep and damaging cuts to the aid budget and unprecedented levels of ODA spending on in-donor refugee costs is resulting in reductions, pauses and cancellations of overseas ODA projects.

Answer from Anneliese Dodds

I can tell the hon. Gentleman that our programme budget for the FCDO in 2025-26 will actually be at its highest level in recent years. We are able to deliver that because this Government are taking action on the issues that the previous Government did not tackle, in particular the in-donor refugee costs that have eaten into that budget.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for information about specific projects being affected by funding cuts but received a general statement about overall FCDO budget levels and criticism of previous government actions.

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Q3 Harpreet Uppal Lab Huddersfield
Foreign Affairs Women & Equalities
Context

A humanitarian crisis in Sudan includes rape as a weapon of war, with Médecins Sans Frontières data indicating high rates of sexual violence. The UK has pledged additional aid for the region.

Question

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is horrific, and it is clear that rape is being used as a weapon of war. Recent data from Médecins Sans Frontières highlights that 90% of sexual violence survivors in a hospital in Chad were abused by armed perpetrators, and 50% were attacked in their homes. This is happening in 2024. Can the Foreign Secretary provide details on how the UK's recent pledges on humanitarian aid for Sudan and the region are being used to support survivors of sexual and gender-based violence?

Answer from Anneliese Dodds

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising that incredibly concerning situation. The UK has been determined to do all that it can, particularly in relation to conflict-related sexual violence. In October 2024, it was the UK that led moves to secure the renewal of the mandate of the fact-finding mission at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for specific details on aid use but received general statements about UN actions and commitments.

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Q4 Andrew Rosindell Reform Romford
Taxation Foreign Affairs
Context

Concern over the costs to British taxpayers arising from a rushed deal on the British Chagos islands. The special envoy, Jonathan Powell, visited Mauritius.

Question

The Government appear to be in a complete tailspin over whether they will release the costs that will fall to the British taxpayer as a result of the rushed deal to give away the British Chagos islands. Given the reported trip to Mauritius by the special envoy, Jonathan Powell, can the Minister at least confirm today which budget the costs will come from, including whether they intend to use the aid budget? Will she tell the House how much it will cost each year and in total, and if the British Chagossians will actually have a genuine say?

Answer from Anneliese Dodds

My understanding is that there were actually 10 rounds of negotiations under the Conservatives, but we did not see the UK reaching the necessary agreements. This is a frankly bizarre argument coming from the Opposition. All the details of the situation are in the public domain, and quite rightly so.

Not addressed: The questioner asked for specific budget and financial information but received historical context and criticism of previous government actions without addressing costs or budget specifics.

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