Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps the Government is taking to encourage other countries to donate to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

The UK is a strong supporter of global polio eradication efforts. As one of the top three donors to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the UK leads by example. In 2013, the UK committed £300 million over six years to polio eradication, which will help vaccinate up to 360 million children.

The UK will continue to encourage countries to donate to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to ensure that we have the required funding to successfully eradicate the disease before 2019. As a lead donor, the UK actively participates in the global Polio Oversight Board, helping to ensure cost-effective use of funds and a strong focus on results.