Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what mechanisms are in place within government to ensure that development considerations are taken account of in wider government bilateral relationships.

The National Security Council, of which the Secretary of State is a Member, is the main forum for collective discussion of the government’s objectives for national security, foreign policy and international development. The Secretary of State for International Development is also a member of the European Union Exit and Trade Committee, which oversees the negotiations on the withdrawal from the European Union and policy on international trade, the Committee for Tackling Extremism in Communities, and the Committee for Tackling Modern Slavery and People Trafficking.

Coordination at working level is provided by sub-groups and overseen by the Cabinet Office secretariats.

Overseas, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is responsible for leading the UK’s relationship with the host country and for ensuring a coherent cross-government approach that reflects all government priorities, including development.