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 the effect of the reduction in the overseas aid budget on aid spending in Syria.

Tackling the humanitarian impact of the Syria Crisis, in Syria itself and neighbouring countries hosting refugees, remains a priority for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The FCDO is currently running a prioritisation exercise across all its programmes, to ensure that every pound we spend goes as far as possible and makes a world-leading difference. As this process is in its early stages, we are unable to assess the impact on the UK's aid spending in Syria.

The UK has been one of the largest donors to the humanitarian response to the Syria Crisis. Since 2012, we have committed over £3.3 billion to help Syrians displaced and vulnerable within their country, and Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries. This includes a pledge of at least £300 million for 2020 at this year's Brussels conference. In his statement to the House of Commons on 26 November, the Foreign Secretary stated that resolving conflicts and alleviating humanitarian crises will be focus areas for Official Development Assistance.