Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to improve access to clean water worldwide; and if she will make a statement.

The UK Government has promised to support 60 million people to gain access to sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene services in the developing world and mainly in Africa and South Asia. We are on track to achieve this target through projects managed by our Countries Offices in 15 countries, a new partnership with Unicef to deliver programmes in 9 countries and a challenge programme which funds 3 consortia working in 12 countries.

In addition, we are active members on the Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) initiative that is building political will and new financing commitments from developing countries and donors.