Official Development Assistance: Vulnerable Children

Lord Bishop of Sheffield Excerpts

Monday 23rd June 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

We are here to talk about the impact on children. The noble Lord has every right to ask whatever he wants, but that is a slightly strange choice when we have had no end of opportunities to talk about that and we have a debate on it a week today. However, it is his choice. The deal with the Chagos Islands is about securing our nation’s relationship with the United States, and it is about our security and intelligence. This week of all weeks, he should not need me to explain to him why that matters so much.

[The Lord Bishop of Sheffield]

My Lords, I welcome the recent launch of the British Overseas NGOs for Development’s Faith in Development Working Group. Member organisations such as Tearfund, Islamic Relief Worldwide and World Jewish Relief, together with secular NGOs, are seeking to create a platform to facilitate, encourage and promote faith actors in international development and humanitarian work. What plans does the Minister’s department have to consult and collaborate with faith communities and faith-based organisations, precisely to mitigate the impact of ODA cuts on vulnerable children?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

Faith-based organisations have a huge role to play. This morning, I visited GSK’s vaccine laboratory in Stevenage to talk about our Gavi pledge, which is coming up on Wednesday. Faith-based organisations are fundamental in ensuring that vaccination is taken up in some of the most difficult places to operate in the world. I would be very happy to work with the organisation that the right reverend Prelate refers to—I have not met it yet—to see how we can work together.