UK Research and Innovation: Overseas Aid

(asked on 15th April 2021) - View Source

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment he has made of the effect of the recent reduction in Official Development Assistance funding to UK Research and Innovation on Welsh universities.


Answered by
Simon Hart Portrait
Simon Hart
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
This question was answered on 21st April 2021

The Government recognises the importance of supporting international research partnerships and supporting the UK research sector. The challenging financial situation we face due to the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a temporary reduction in the UK’s aid spending target from 0.7% of GNI to 0.5%. This means making difficult decisions when it comes to prioritising how we spend aid money to deliver the most impactful outcomes.

The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy are currently working with UKRI, and all the Global Challenges Research Fund and Newton Fund Delivery Partners, to manage the financial year 2021/22 ODA allocations, including which projects will be going ahead. These Delivery Partners have communicated with award holders setting out the next stage of the review of ODA funding next year, and to explore options for individual programmes. Due to the ongoing nature of this process, until it is complete, we cannot share project-level details.

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