Official Development Assistance

Earl of Courtown Excerpts

Tuesday 13th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[The Earl of Courtown (Con)]

My Lords, I congratulate my noble friend Lord Bates on securing this important debate. He has once again made a powerful and deeply personal case for the positive impact of UK overseas development assistance, and for the leadership role that this country can and should play internationally. His account of what he has witnessed was moving, and underlined the reality that behind every statistic are human lives.

In an increasingly unstable world, the case for effective, well-targeted development assistance is stronger than ever. Britain must continue to work with international partners to support the most vulnerable, prevent crises escalating further and promote stability where we can. The situation in Sudan, which this House has debated before, is a tragic example. The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding there demands urgent international action.

Can the Minister please update the House on what assessment His Majesty’s Government have made of the humanitarian impacts of recent and planned reductions in ODA, particularly in conflict-affected states? Can the Minister provide an update on what the UK Government are doing to ensure that aid is reaching those who need it most, including efforts to alleviate famine, prevent the spread of disease and protect displaced populations?

As my noble friend rightly said, Britain is a generous and outward-looking nation. The extraordinary support given by the public to international charities reflects a strong moral commitment to helping those in desperate circumstances. However, public confidence depends on knowing that aid is being used for its intended humanitarian purpose and is delivering real impact on the ground. In that context, can the Minister update the House on how much ODA is currently being used to fund costs associated with asylum accommodation? The Government’s manifesto committed to ending the use of asylum hotels and saving enormous sums of money.

In conclusion, the United Kingdom has a vital role to play internationally. At a time of growing global need, it is essential that development assistance is not only well spent but that its humanitarian impact is clearly understood and rigorously assessed.