Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Provisional Statistics on International Development 2021

28 April 2022 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Proposed by James Cleverly Con Braintree

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

View on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • UK aid spend in 2021 provisionally reduced from 0 7% to 0 5% of GNI on ODA
  • Government plans to revert to 0 7% ODA spend when fiscal constraints ease
  • Fiscal situation requires no borrowing for day-to-day spending and falling debt for ODA increase

Issue summary

This statement addresses provisional UK aid spend in 2021 and the reduction from 0.7% to 0.5% of GNI on Official Development Assistance (ODA).

Action requested

The Government intends to return to spending 0.7% of GNI on ODA as soon as the fiscal situation allows, when borrowing for day-to-day spending is not necessary and underlying debt is falling.

Key facts

  • The UK spent almost £11.5 billion on Official Development Assistance (ODA) in 2021.
  • This represents 0.5% of Gross National Income (GNI).
  • The reduction from 0.7% to 0.5% of GNI was confirmed by the former Foreign Secretary in November 2020 due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the UK’s economy.
  • A debate on the proposed course of action and pathway back to 0.7% took place on 13 July 2021, which was approved by the House.
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