Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department takes to ensure that UK Official Development Assistance not spent under the provisions of the International Development Act 2002 is spent in a way that is likely to contribute to a reduction in poverty.

The UK Aid Strategy, published in November 2015 (CM 9163), is clear that the government shapes all of its ODA spending according to the four strategic objectives set out in the strategy. All four of these strategic objectives support poverty reduction and all are aligned with the UK national interest. The Aid Strategy also commits the UK to drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, which have the eradication of poverty as their central objective.

In order to qualify as ODA, all expenditure must meet the eligibility criteria established by the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee.