Asked by: Margaret Hodge (Labour - Barking)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many applications her Department has received to vary or revoke a designation under the Russia (Sanctions) Regulations 2022.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has not received any requests to vary or revoke a designation made under The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.
Asked by: Margaret Hodge (Labour - Barking)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, by what proportion his Department’s work on governance, democracy and anti-corruption will change as a result of reductions to Overseas Development Assistance in 2021.
Answered by Nigel Adams
As announced last year, the impact of the global pandemic on the UK economy has forced us to take the tough but necessary decision to temporarily reduce how much we spend on Official Development Assistance (ODA) to a target of spending 0.5% of Gross National Income (GNI) on ODA, rather than 0.7%. As we have set out in the Integrated Review, this is a temporary measure and we will return to 0.7% when the fiscal situation allows. No decisions on individual country or sectoral budget allocations have yet been made.
The recently-published Integrated Review is clear about the UK's commitment to being a Force for Good, supporting open societies. We will use our aid budget and British expertise to strengthen democratic institutions, human rights, free media, protect the civic space, and promote effective governance, including combatting corruption and illicit financial flows. Championing this agenda is not only essential for future development progress, but also to protect our values and interests in a world where open societies are under threat.
Asked by: Margaret Hodge (Labour - Barking)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will provide a breakdown of the reduction in the amount of Overseas Development Assistance to (a) governance, (b) democracy, and (c) anti-corruption programmes for each country in receipt of that funding.
Answered by Nigel Adams
As announced last year, the impact of the global pandemic on the UK economy has forced us to take the tough but necessary decision to temporarily reduce how much we spend on Official Development Assistance (ODA) to a target of spending 0.5% of Gross National Income (GNI) on ODA, rather than 0.7%. As we have set out in the Integrated Review, this is a temporary measure and we will return to 0.7% when the fiscal situation allows.
We are now working through the implications of these changes for individual programmes. No decisions on individual country or sectoral budget allocations have yet been made. The UK remains a world-leader in international development and, based on current GNI forecasts, we will spend over £10 billion of ODA in 2021.
Asked by: Margaret Hodge (Labour - Barking)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of whether the reduction in spending on governance, democracy, and anti-corruption work through Overseas Development Assistance will affect the budgets of (a) the National Crime Agency and (b) other UK law enforcement agencies.
Answered by Nigel Adams
As announced last year, the impact of the global pandemic on the UK economy has forced us to take the tough but necessary decision to temporarily reduce how much we spend on Official Development Assistance (ODA). The UK will remain a world leading donor, spending over £10 billion in 21/22. No decisions on sectoral budgets have been made yet.
The Foreign Secretary has set out seven core priorities for the UK's aid budget this year, including defending open societies. The recently published Integrated Review sets out the UK Government's commitment to fight corruption and illicit finance as threats to democratic values and open societies around the world. The UK will ensure effective governance and resilience at home and cooperate with other countries on the basis of transparency and good governance.