Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Official Development Assistance

Tuesday 20 January 2026 · 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 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Olly Glover asked about increasing spending on global health research and development to boost life expectancy in the global south.
  • Fleur Anderson inquired if support for women victims of sexual violence in the Sudan conflict would be maintained despite aid budget cuts.
  • David Taylor requested a meeting with Ministers to discuss innovative forms of development finance in the context of reduced ODA.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Olly Glover Lib Dem Didcot and Wantage
Economy Foreign Affairs
Context

The US Government have cut funding for research and development on lifesaving health solutions that help the world’s poorest people, creating an opportunity for UK scientists.

Question

In this context, will the Government seize the opportunity to continue progress on life expectancy in the global south and boost the UK economy by increasing their spending on global health research and development?

Answer from Chris Elmore (The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs)

I cannot comment on the US’s decision; it is a matter for its Administration. As I have mentioned, one of the focuses of our ODA support will be on health. We have announced to the House additional funding for tackling life-limiting conditions, particularly on the continent of Africa.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The exact commitment or action regarding increased spending on global health R&D was not provided.

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Q2 Fleur Anderson Lab Putney
Foreign Affairs Women & Equalities
Context

Millions of people, including thousands of women affected by horrific sexual violence, are impacted by the conflict in Sudan.

Question

Despite aid budget cuts, will the Minister assure the House that support for the women victims of sexual violence in the conflict in Sudan will not be cut?

Answer from Chris Elmore (The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs)

I know what a hugely important issue this is to all Members across the House. I can confirm that additional funding has been allocated in relation to the Sudan conflict. We are calling for the violence to end, particularly the violence targeted at women and girls. Part of this continuing funding is for trying to tackle the extreme levels of sexual violence that women are experiencing in Sudan.

Answered
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Q3 Andrew Mitchell Con Sutton Coldfield
Foreign Affairs Business & Trade
Context

Part of the official development assistance budget goes to investment in businesses creating employment in the poorest parts of the world, such as BII.

Question

Will the Minister continue to ensure that BII receives injections of capital so that it can go on doing its work and earning a decent return for the British taxpayer?

Answer from Chris Elmore (The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs)

I am pleased to say that the international development Minister in the other place, Baroness Chapman, is due to meet the group imminently. We will continue that work, including through my conversations with nations in the ODA context, on how we provide more support for business as one of the changes to ODA moving forward.

Answered
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Q4 David Taylor Lab Hemel Hempstead
Economy Taxation Foreign Affairs
Context

There are other models, including the International Finance Facility for Education and the International Finance Facility for Immunisation, that offer ways to leverage much more money.

Question

Will Ministers, including a Treasury Minister, meet me to discuss such proposals and consider innovative forms of development finance in an era of less ODA?

Answer from Chris Elmore (The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs)

I am, of course, more than happy to meet my hon. Friend, as diaries allow.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The exact commitment or action regarding meeting was not provided.

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