Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for spending more on conflict prevention even where this may cause a reduction in conflict and post-conflict aid.

The British Government is committed to preventing conflict across the globe, as I highlighted during my speech to the UN General Assembly High Level Event on Sustaining Peace in April. We welcome the report by the World Bank and United Nations (UN) 'Pathways for Peace: Inclusive Approaches to Preventing Violent Conflict'', which confirms that preventing violent conflicts saves lives and is cost-effective, and that it could save the international community up to US$70 billion a year on average.

The UK uses a variety of tools to address the causes of conflict (including diplomatic and programmatic) and we work closely with partners to optimise effective bilateral and multilateral intervention. This is done principally through the UN which is the key mechanism for maintaining international peace and security and resolving disputes. Through our permanent seat on the UN Security Council, we push for earlier and more effective action to prevent conflicts.

A key tool for the British Government in addressing the cause of conflict is the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) launched in 2015. This financial year (2018-19), CSSF is spending £1.2 billion in over 70 countries to support programmes that tackle the root causes of conflict. Additionally, the UK spends 0.7 percent of its Gross National Income on Official Development Assistance, which we have enshrined in law. We have committed to invest at least 50 percent of the Department for International Development's budget in fragile states and regions.