House of Commons · Westminster Hall
25 March 2025 · 9 other contributors · 12,026 words
Opened by David Mundell Con Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Responding minister: Stephen Doughty
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
David Mundell raised concerns about nutrition for growth summit in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
The Government must demonstrate continued UK leadership by committing finances and making policy changes at the Paris summit to help end malnutrition. The UK should make a strong, ambitious and well-targeted pledge to ensure the summit is successful.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Access to good nutrition is foundational to development, playing a critical role in health, education, gender equality, and economic advancement. Malnutrition remains the leading cause of death in children under five, claiming around two million lives annually. Conflicts and humanitarian crises are causing global hunger to soar, with 733 million people facing hunger this year compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Conflict is the main driver of food insecurity, with some 65% of people living in acute food insecurity residing in fragile or conflict-affected areas. In Sudan alone, millions are at immediate risk of famine due to ongoing conflicts. Discussed the link between conflict and food insecurity through drawings by Sudanese children depicting shooting incidents while gathering food, also mentioned the University of Sheffield’s institute for sustainable food.
Commended the chairmanship and noted significant challenges, highlighting that the debate will positively feed into the summit.
Stressed that a 1% increase in food insecurity leads to a 2% increase in migration, impacting global stability. Emphasised the need for sustainable long-term nutritional support and investment.
Highlighted that a 1% increase in food insecurity leads to a 2% increase in migration, stressing the link between food security and addressing migration issues.
Malnutrition is a significant barrier to health, economic growth and development globally. UK aid for nutrition has decreased sharply in recent years from £146 million in 2017 to just £24 million in 2023. Emphasised the need for continued UK global leadership on development issues, warning of potential involvement from malevolent actors like Russia and China if such leadership is lacking.
Commends the work of churches in his constituency that support communities in Zimbabwe and Swaziland, highlighting the role of church groups in filling gaps where government aid may not reach. The hon. Member for Strangford rightly highlighted the important role of churches, faith communities, and the FCDO's commitment to meet the 2022-2030 commitment of £1.5 billion. Stressed the importance of securing public support for development and nutrition, highlighting its foundational role in sustainable development goals.
The UK should reaffirm its commitment to eradicating hunger, as progress on nutrition and development goals is slipping. The number of those suffering from malnutrition has risen by 150 million in five years due to conflict, climate change, and the pandemic.
Mr Race highlights the importance of collective global action on malnutrition and urges the UK to play a leadership role at the upcoming Nutrition for Growth summit by making an ambitious financial pledge. The MP noted the UK’s leadership on nutrition issues and highlighted links between nutrition and health. He also raised points about illicit finance. Spoke of his personal experience seeing the impact of interventions on the ground.
The UK committed £575 million to nutrition-specific programmes and pledged at least £1.5 billion up to 2030 on nutrition objectives. Will the Minister confirm if she will attend the summit and whether the Government continues to stand by the £1.5 billion pledge?
Government Response
Stephen DoughtyThe Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
My colleague Baroness Chapman will lead the UK delegation at the Nutrition for Growth summit in Paris, showing our continued commitment to this issue. The right hon. Member's recommendations about the UK’s contribution were noted but specific financial targets could not be provided. We are on track to meet the 2022-2030 commitment of £1.5 billion, with £366 million spent in 2022. Discussed efforts in areas like Ethiopia and Ukraine, acknowledged concerns about aid budget cuts, emphasized commitments to nutrition and climate resilience through initiatives such as the global compact on nutrition integration. Highlighted continued work on child wasting prevention and treatment through partnerships.