Overseas Aid: Marine Environment

(asked on 29th June 2021) - View Source

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 proposed reduction in Official Development Assistance on the UK’s role in tackling global marine plastic pollution.


Answered by
James Duddridge Portrait
James Duddridge
This question was answered on 8th July 2021

The huge impact of the pandemic on the UK economy has forced us to take tough but necessary decisions, including temporarily reducing the overall amount we spend on aid to 0.5% of GNI. We will remain a world-leading development donor and are on track to spend more than £10 billion this year to fight poverty, tackle climate change and improve global health.

Following a thorough review, the Foreign Secretary has allocated FCDO's ODA in accordance with UK strategic priorities, focusing our investment and expertise where the UK can make the most difference and achieve maximum strategic coherence, impact, and value for money.

Research estimates that between 5 and 13 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year and, if action is not taken, the total plastic in the ocean could treble by 2025. Domestically we have taken action, and internationally, the Government is supporting efforts to tackle plastic pollution, by funding innovation and research, and by working with governments, businesses and communities on national and local initiatives.

Reticulating Splines