Topical Questions 2020-03-04
2020-03-04
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The UK has a commitment to support education, particularly for girls, as part of its international development policy.
Ahead of International Women's Day, Antony Higginbotham asked about steps being taken to ensure that every child gets 12 years of education.
Between 2015 and 2019 we supported 14.3 million girls to gain a decent education across 70 of our most fragile countries. As another International Women's Day is before us, the Department has the opportunity to refocus its energies on making sure that there is not a single girl who is not educated.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
There are concerns about the potential spread of coronavirus to areas with weak health systems.
In light of the reported cases of coronavirus worldwide and lack thereof in sub-Saharan Africa, Dan Carden asked what immediate steps were being taken to ensure preparedness for an outbreak.
We are working closely with our colleagues at the Department of Health and Social Care to support the World Health Organisation. We have given £5 million to its initial fund to ensure that it can be as prepared as possible.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The situation in Idlib and across Syria is worsening with indiscriminate bombings, displacement of civilians, and deaths.
Regarding the humanitarian crisis in Syria, Dan Carden asked what specific actions the UK was taking as a member of the Security Council to protect civilian lives.
We continue to be horrified and appalled by the humanitarian legal breaches that are going on. We continue to provide support; I signed off £89 million last week to make sure we can provide support as best we can.
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Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
There is a UNICEF report that outlines the work needed to end preventable child deaths by 2030.
Alison Thewliss inquired about specific actions and finance being employed by DFID to meet the aim of ending preventable child deaths by 2030, as outlined in a UNICEF report.
We welcome that report and its recognition of the work the UK is already doing. The Government will be publishing a paper setting out how we will work with others to reach that goal.
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Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
There are serious security issues in Colombia, with assassinations of trade unionists and community leaders.
Concerned about the instability in Colombia's peace process, Lloyd Russell-Moyle asked if the Government would put money into supporting policing and investigations.
The UK is one of the largest donors to the humanitarian response in Venezuela and the top donor to the Central Emergency Response Fund and Education Cannot Wait. I will come back to him specifically on his point about policing.
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Assessment & feedback
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