Official Development Assistance

Lord Foulkes of Cumnock Excerpts

Monday 21st July 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

One could say the same about HIV and, to an extent, malaria. That is one of the reasons that the UK is now the largest donor to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. As we now understand only too well, these things not only have a hugely damaging effect on developing countries but can find their way here. The Prime Minister will co-host the replenishment of the Global Fund in South Africa in the autumn, and it is his job to announce a decision on that pledge. I will not do that today, but the noble Lord will see the concerns that he has aired reflected in that announcement.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, as a former Development Minister, I share the concern of the noble Lord, Lord Oates, and the noble Baroness, Lady Sugg, about the reduction of our development assistance. However, do the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives ever suggest what other areas we might cut to restore some of this funding?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

It would be a very strange former Minister for Development who would not regret a reduction in the budget—or any Minister in any department, because that is not what any of us is here to do. The Liberal Democrats prioritising certain budgets ahead of others is for them to answer, not me.