Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to (a) support proposals to and (b) help ensure that lenders comply with a decision to cancel Zambia's debt.

Zambia is one of three countries – along with Chad and Ethiopia - to have so far requested the Common Framework. The Common Framework was agreed in November 2020 by the UK, along with the G20 and Paris Club, to help deliver a long-term, sustainable approach for supporting low-income countries to tackle their debt vulnerabilities.

Debt treatments under the Common Framework can include both the reprofiling of debt or, depending on need, a full restructuring where debt is also cancelled.

Comparability of treatment is also a fundamental principle under the Common Framework. This means that a debt treatment with other official bilateral creditors and private creditors must be agreed on at least as favourable terms as the one agreed by G20 creditors.

It is a UK priority to work with our G20 partners to ensure swift progress on Zambia’s debt treatment so that the country can get back to debt sustainability and support its economic recovery.