Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps he is taking to ensure that NGOs are able to continue their work unaffected by the UK leaving the EU.

The Withdrawal Agreement ensures that UK based organisations will be able to bid for funding, participate in and lead consortia and otherwise implement as normal EU development programmes that are approved before December 2020 until they complete. Furthermore, we are clear that any future UK financial contribution to the EU would require eligibility for UK entities to bid for and implement programmes where the UK funds. We regularly consult NGOs regarding their concerns to ensure we can support our world-class development sector. I therefore urge the Hon. Gentleman to support the Withdrawal Agreement.