Development Aid
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how he plans to align the ODA budget with the UK’s wider foreign policy objectives in (a) regions where development assistance and diplomatic priorities intersect and (b) other regions.
Answered by Stephen Doughty
The alleviation of poverty is the foundation of our development work and the primary focus of our Official Development Assistance spend is always to maximise each pound's impact on those living in poverty.
Our development work is also a key part of the UK's foreign policy, delivering both for the UK and for our partners, including through tackling upstream migration, supporting resilience in the world's most vulnerable countries and communities, and mitigating the effects of climate change.
The global challenges we face - a volatile global economy, more humanitarian crises, accelerating impacts of the climate and nature crises and global health risks - demand a new approach to development that reflects the international context and the relationship our partners want, as part of our modern partnership approach.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →