Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support low and middle-income countries in Africa; and what recent assessment they have made of the potential effect of reductions in the UK aid budget on support to those countries.

Following a thorough review, the FCDO's aid budget for countries in sub-Saharan Africa has been allocated in accordance with UK strategic priorities against a challenging financial climate of COVID. It focuses our investment and expertise on issues where the UK can make the most difference and achieve maximum strategic coherence, impact, and value for money. Impacts on women and girls, the most marginalised and vulnerable, people with disabilities and people from other protected groups were considered.