Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the effect of (a) EU aid and (b) UK bilateral aid to The Gambia on (i) democratic transition, (ii) economic growth, (iii) human rights, (iv) youth unemployment, (v) poverty, (vi) inequality and (vii) protection of the environment.

The EU is set to provide Gambia with a €250m package of assistance between 2014 and 2021 focused around governance, rule of law, inclusive sustainable growth, job creation, climate change, energy and infrastructure. One programme, an €11m youth empowerment project, seeks to tackle the root causes of irregular migration through increased job opportunities and income prospects for youth. 7000 youths will complete a technical or vocational training programme or an apprenticeship and 8000 will receive entrepreneurship support services such as access to finance. The UK’s bilateral country programme in Gambia closed in 2012 but limited support is provided by regional and thematic programmes, including for family planning supplies and on migration, for instance to strengthen protection systems for children on the move in the Gambia.