VerbatimParliament, as it happens

British Overseas Territories: Finance

Asked by Priti PatelConservativeForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 2 July 2025UIN 62573

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much funding his Department plans to provide to each of the Overseas Territories in each of the next five years.

Answered by Stephen Doughty

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) recently received its Spending Review (SR) settlement from the Treasury for the three years of the SR period (FY26/27 to FY28/29). Final decisions on funding for the Overseas Territories (OTs) in each of these years is subject to the FCDO's post-SR settlement multi-year internal allocations process which is expected to conclude later this year.

In the current financial year (25/26) the FCDO is providing up to £168.37 million of programme funding to the OTs:

  • £126.27 million in Official Development Assistance (ODA) non-discretionary programme funding for the four ODA eligible Territories (Montserrat, St Helena, Tristan da Cunha, Pitcairn Islands) for essential services and critical infrastructure.
  • £6.40 million in ODA discretionary programme funding for the four ODA eligible Territories, and
  • £35.70 million in non-ODA discretionary programme funding for the non-ODA Territories to help meet our constitutional, international and legal responsibilities, and Ministerial and Territory priorities. It is delivered by several Government Departments and agencies through thematic, cross-Territory programmes and largely as capacity building support.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim