Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

UN Sustainable Development Goals

19 October 2023 · 8 other contributors · 12,681 words

Opened by Vicky Ford Con Chelmsford

Responding minister: Andrew Mitchell

EducationEconomyClimateForeign Affairs

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Vicky Ford raised concerns about un sustainable development goals in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The UK is severely off track in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 due to the global pandemic, climate change, and geopolitical tensions.
  • The number of out-of-school children worldwide is now 250 million, and two-thirds of the world's children cannot read or understand a simple sentence by age ten.
  • The Minister highlighted the UK's financial pledges at G7 and G20 meetings, including a $40 billion investment from British International Investment and a $2 billion pledge to the Green Climate Fund.

Key requests to Government

The Minister should update on how stakeholder consultations for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office White Paper process are progressing. It would also be beneficial to hear more about how SDG4 on education fits into FCDO's wider SDG strategy and how the UK prioritises SDGs in policymaking.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Vicky Ford Con Chelmsford

The UK is severely off track in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Progress has been hindered by the global pandemic, climate change, and geopolitical tensions such as Russia's war in Ukraine. Extreme poverty increased by an estimated 150 million people globally in 2020, with sub-Saharan Africa expected to have 7% of its population living in extreme poverty by 2030. The number of out-of-school children worldwide is now 250 million, and two-thirds of the world's children cannot read or understand a simple sentence by age ten.

Other contributors (8)
  • Fiona Bruce Con Congleton

    Ms. Bruce called for a greater focus on religious marginalisation in the review of UN Sustainable Development Goals looking towards 2030, citing examples from Iran and Pakistan where religious minorities face exclusion from healthcare and education due to their beliefs.

  • James Duddridge Con Rochford and Southend East

    The UK must remain a global leader in tackling extreme poverty through education, health care, and climate change. He highlighted the importance of the Government's commitments on climate finance, food security, and vaccine development.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Mr. Shannon expressed his moral obligation to help the needy both domestically and internationally, advocating for increased aid spending despite current economic constraints. He highlighted the UN Development Programme's estimate that 50% of people in extreme poverty live in developing countries with severe debt problems. Emphasizing the importance of working with faith-based organizations on the ground, Shannon noted that Christians and Hindus in Pakistan are often at a disadvantage when it comes to aid distribution. I asked questions about NGOs and churches involved in missionary work and charity activities, expressing a desire for better collaboration with them.

  • Lyn Brown Lab Birmingham Sedgewick

    Ms Lyn Brown expressed concern over the UK's progress towards achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals, citing stalled or reversed progress on many targets. She highlighted issues such as an increase in young women not being in education, employment, or training; a drop in international finance for clean energy support; and rising global hunger levels. Additionally, she criticized government actions that undermine climate diplomacy and called for the UK to demonstrate leadership on essential issues like climate change.

  • Matthew Offord Con Hendon

    I emphasised the importance of humanitarian mine action as an additional sustainable development goal. Mine clearance is crucial for environmental progress and can help achieve several SDGs, such as safe water access, education, gender equality, and ocean conservation. I highlighted the need to prioritise these efforts to ensure post-conflict areas are safe and productive.

  • Patrick Grady SNP Glasgow North

    He reflected on the progress of sustainable development goals, highlighting issues such as food security, health, education, water and sanitation. He emphasized the importance of civil society engagement and the need for the UK government to show leadership in these areas. I hope the House will have sight of the White Paper at the same time as, or before, external participants in a summit on 20 November. I suggest that the Minister—or perhaps the Foreign Secretary or the Prime Minister—presents it to the House.

  • Richard Drax Con South Dorset

    The UK should continue to support Education Cannot Wait and ensure that refugee children have access to quality education within national systems. He emphasised the need for a strong commitment at the Global Refugee Forum to help children from crisis-affected countries.

  • Virendra Sharma Lab Ealing, Southall

    Mr Sharma expressed concern about the humanitarian crisis in Palestine and the impact of conflict on achieving SDGs. He highlighted the need for real change, investment, and will to eradicate tuberculosis by 2030, citing a 4% rise in TB cases in 2021 and an 18% drop in diagnoses. Mr Sharma also raised concerns about multidrug-resistant TB and asked how the FCDO would work with international partners to generate momentum towards eradicating TB.

Government Response

Andrew Mitchell

The Minister highlighted the UK's role in establishing the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 and its commitment to achieving them by 2030. He discussed significant financial pledges made at G7 and G20 meetings, including a $40 billion investment announcement from British International Investment and a $2 billion pledge to the Green Climate Fund. The Minister also detailed support for reforming the international financial system through new guarantees for multilateral development banks and funding for climate finance initiatives. He further addressed efforts in building a healthier, more prosperous future through education financing and tax systems improvement.

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